from the hotel.

"Didn't see Dakota Joe anywhere about, did you?" Helen asked, as their
taxi-cab-left the hotel entrance.

"For goodness' sake! he would not have hung about the hotel all night,
would he?" demanded Jennie.

"Mr. Hammond seems to be afraid of the man" pursued Helen. "Or we would
not be running away like this."

Ruth smiled. "I guess," she said, "that Mr. Hammond is hurrying us on
for a different reason. You must remember that he has this company on
salary and that the longer we delay on the way to the Hubbell Ranch the
more money it is costing him while the company is idle."

It was proved, however, that the picture producer had a good reason for
wishing to get out of Dakota Joe's neighborhood. When the four girls in
the taxicab rolled up to the gate of the railroad yard and got out with
their bags, Dakota Joe himself popped out of hiding. With him a
broad-hatted man in a blue suit.

"Hey!" ejaculated the showman, standing directly in Ruth's path. "I got
you now where I want you. That Hammond man won't help me, and I told him
the trouble I'm in jest because he got that Injun gal away from me. I
see her! That's the gal--"

"What do you want of me, Mr. Fenbrook?" demanded Ruth, bravely, and
gesturing Wonota to remain behind her. "I have no idea why you should
hound me in this way."