figure against the sky and the dim white of the walls.

The night was very still, as always at this ranch. There was not even a
breeze to create a rustle in the leaves. I was obliged to hold rigidly
motionless, almost to hush my breathing, while the figure bulked large
against the whitewashed wall. But my eyes, wide to the dimness, took in
every detail of my surroundings. Near me stood a water barrel. If I
could get a spring from that water barrel I could catch one of the heavy
projecting beams of the roof.

After an apparently interminable interval the sound of footsteps became
audible, and a moment later Ramon moved to meet his relief. I seized the
opportunity of their conversation and ascended to the roof. It proved
to be easy, although the dried-out old beam to which for a moment I
swung creaked outrageously. Probably it sounded louder to me than the
actual fact. I took off my boots and moved cautiously to where I could
look down into the court. Ramon and his companion were still talking
under the verandah, so I could not see them; but I waited until I heard
one of them move away. Then I went to seat myself on the low parapet and
think things over.

The man below me had the key to the girl's room. If I could get the key
I could accomplish the first step of my plan--indeed the only step I had
determined upon. The exact method of getting the key would have to
develop. In the meantime, I gave passing wonder to the fact, as
developed by the conversation between Hooper and Ramon, that Brower was
not at the ranch and had not been heard of at the ranch. Where had Tiger
dumped him, and where now was he lying? I keenly regretted the loss of a
possible ally; and, much to my astonishment, I found within myself a
little regret for the man himself.