he sound was quite audible now.

"They's been some crooked work," said Rhinehart excitedly. "Somebody's
tipped off the marshals about where we're lyin'."

"All right," said Haines quietly, "you and I will investigate."

They started through the willows. Rhinehart was cursing beneath his
breath.

"Don't be too fast with your six-gun," warned Haines.

"I'd rather be too early than too late."

"Maybe it isn't a marshal. If a man were looking for us he'd be a fool
to come smashing along like that."

He had scarcely spoken when Kate came into view.

"A girl, by God!" said Rhinehart, with mingled relief and disgust.

"Sure thing," agreed Haines.

"Let's beat it back to the camp."

"Not a hope. She's headed straight for the camp. We'll take her in and
tell her we're a bunch from the Y Circle X outfit headed north. She'll
never know the difference."

"Good idea," said Rhinehart, and he added with a chuckle, "it's been
nigh three months since I've talked to a piece of calico."

"Hey, there!" called Haines, and he stepped out with Rhinehart before
her horse.

"Oh!" cried Kate, reining up her horse sharply. "Who are you?"

"A beaut!" muttered Rhinehart in devout admiration.

"We're from the Y Circle X outfit," said Haines glibly, "camping over
here for the night. Are you lost, lady?"

"I guess I am. I thought I could get across the willows before the
night fell. I'm trying to find a man who rode in this direction."

"Come on into the camp," said Haines easily. "Maybe some of the boys
can put you on his track. What sort of a looking fellow is he?"

"Rides a black horse and whistles a good deal. His name is Barry. They
call him Whistling Dan."

"By God!" whispered Rhinehart in the ear of Haines.

"Shut up!" answered Haines in the same tone. "Are you afraid of a
girl?"

"I've trailed him south this far," went on Kate, "and a few miles away
from here I lost track of him. I think he may have gone on across the
willows."

"Haven't seen him," said Rhinehart amiably. "But come on to the camp,
lady. Maybe one of the boys has spotted him on the way. What's your
name?"

"Kate Cumberland," she answered.

He removed his hat with a broad grin and reached up a hand to her.

"I'm most certainly glad to meet you, an' my name's Shorty. This here
is Lee. Want to come along with us?"

"Thank you. I'm a little worried."

"'S all right. Don't get worried. We'll show you the way out. Just
follow us."

They started