putting Challenge down the trail so fast."

As they rode homeward Corliss told her of the advent of Sundown and
what the latter had said about the wreck and the final disappearance of
his "pal," Will Corliss.

The girl heard him silently and had nothing to say until they parted at
the ford. Then she turned to him. "I don't believe Will was killed.
I can't say why, but if he had been killed I think I should have known
it. Don't ask me to explain, John. I have always expected that he
would come back. I have been thinking about him lately."

"I can't understand it," said Corliss. "Will always had what he
wanted. He owns a half-interest in the Concho. I can't do as I want
to, sometimes. My hands are tied, for if I made a bad move and lost
out, I'd be sinking Will's money with mine."

"I wouldn't make any bad moves if I were you," said the girl, glancing
at the rancher's grave face.

"Business is business, Nell. We needn't begin that old argument.
Only, understand this: I'll play square just as long as the other side
plays square. There's going to be trouble before long and you know
why. It won't begin on the west side of the Concho."

"Good-bye, John," said the girl, reining her pony around.

He raised his hat. Then he wheeled Chinook and loped toward the ranch.

Eleanor Loring, riding slowly, thought of what he had said. "He won't