"Sis sent me. She got worried again, and we figured I'd better join
you."

"I reckon there's nothing serious the matter. Still, it ain't like Larry
to say he would come and then not show up."

"Brill is back there bragging about it." Phil nodded his head toward the
lights of the Frying Pan glimmering far below. "Says he knew the waddy
wouldn't show his head. You don't reckon, Jim, he's turned a trick on
Keller, do you?"

"That's what we have got to find out, Phil."

"Looks funny he'd be so durned sure when we all know how game Keller
is," the boy reflected aloud.

"I don't expect you're armed, Phil?" Jim put the statement as a
question.

"Nope. Are you?"

"No, I ain't. Didn't think of it when I started. Oh, well, we'll make
out. Like enough there will be no need of guns."

A gray light was sifting into the sky, and still they rode, winding up
toward the peaks of the divide. Jim, leading the way, drew rein and
pointed to a cactus bush beside the trail. Among its spines lay a gray
felt hat. From it his eye wandered to the very evident signs of a
struggle that had taken place. Moss and cactus had been trampled down by