Venters lay low in the shade of the cottonwoods, pondering this
chance meeting, and not for many moments did he consider it safe
to move on. Then, with sudden impulse, he turned the other way
and went back along the grove. When he reached the path leading
to Jane's home he decided to go down to the village. So he
hurried onward, with quick soft steps. Once beyond the grove he
entered the one and only street. It was wide, lined with tall
poplars, and under each row of trees, inside the foot-path, were
ditches where ran the water from Jane Withersteen's spring.

Between the trees twinkled lights of cottage candles, and far
down flared bright windows of the village stores. When Venters
got closer to these he saw knots of men standing together in
earnest conversation. The usual lounging on the corners and
benches and steps was not in evidence. Keeping in the shadow
Venters went closer and closer until he could hear voices. But he
could not distinguish what was said. He recognized many Mormons,
and looked hard for Tull and his men, but looked in vain.
Venters concluded that the rustlers had not passed along the
village street. No doubt these earnest men were discussing
Lassiter's coming. But Venters felt positive that Tull's
intention toward himself that day had not been and would not be
revealed.

So Venters, seeing there was little for him to learn, began
retracing his steps. The church was dark, Bishop Dyer's home next
to it was also dark, and likewise Tull's cottage. Upon almost any
night at this hour there would be lights here, and Venters marked
the unusual omission.