and then looked at Al and the women. Unhooking the stirrups from
the pommel, Stillwell let them fall and began to search the
saddle for something which he evidently expected to find.
Presently from somewhere among the trappings he produced a folded
bit of paper, and after scrutinizing it handed it to Al.

"Addressed to you; an' I'll bet you two bits I know what's in
it," he said.

Alfred unfolded the letter, read it, and then looked at
Stillwell.

"Bill, you're a pretty good guesser. Gene's made for the border.
He sent the horse by somebody, no names mentioned, and wants my
sister to have him if she will accept."

"Any mention of Danny Mains?" asked the rancher.

"Not a word."

"Thet's bad. Gene'd know about Danny if anybody did. But he's a
close-mouthed cuss. So he's sure hittin' for Mexico. Wonder if
Danny's goin', too? Wal, there's two of the best cowmen I ever
seen gone to hell an' I'm sorry."

With that he bowed his head and, grumbling to himself, went into
the house. Alfred lifted the reins over the head of the horse
and, leading him to Madeline, slipped the knot over her arm and
placed the letter in her hand.