"What the devil are you doing here, Doug?" asked Peter Knight.

"Hasn't he got a right to call on the Harlot of the Canyon?" demanded
John, with a chuckle. "Hustle up, Peter! The crowd'll be there for the
game before you are."

"They can't get in till I unlock," replied Peter. "Here, John, take the
key and ride on. I want to talk to Doug."

John caught the key and trotted off. Sister snarled at Prince, who wagged
his tail apologetically.

"Sister's a shrew, all right," grinned Douglas.

"She sure can run coyotes, though," said Peter.

"She and Grandma Brown run this valley," added Douglas.

Peter laughed. "I'm strong for the ladies! Did you ever watch the moon
rise, Doug, from the top of the bench back of the cabin there?"

"No," answered Douglas.

"Come on up! It's not a long ride. I've been wanting to make you a
proposition for some time."

Douglas followed the postmaster silently. The horses were panting and
sweating by the time they reached the top, and the rim of the moon was
just peering over the edge of the Indian Range. All the valley lay in
darkness. The two dismounted and threw themselves down on the ledge.