'You are correct, sir,' acknowledged the professor a trifle stiffly.
His eye did not rise, but clung in a fascinated, faintly accusing way
to the gun which had betrayed him.

The stranger nodded and then lifted his hat for the ceremony while he
presented himself.

'Name of Howard,' he announced breezily. 'Alan Howard of the old Diaz
Rancho. Glad to know you both.'

'It is a pleasure, I am sure, Mr. Howard,' said the professor. 'But,
if you will pardon me, at this particular time of day----'

Alan Howard laughed his understanding.

'I'll chase up to the pool and give Helen a drink of real water,' he
said lightly. 'Funny my mare's name should be Helen, too, isn't it?'
This directly into a pair of eyes which the growing light showed to be
grey and attractive, but just now hostile. 'Then, if you say the word,
I'll romp back and take you up on a cup of coffee. And we'll talk
things over.'

He stooped forward in the saddle a fraction of an inch; his mare caught
the familiar signal and leaped; they were gone, racing away across the
sand which was flung up after them like spray.

'Of all the fresh propositions!' gasped Helen.

But she knew that he would not long delay his return, and so slipped
quickly from under her blanket and hurried down to the water-hole to