father's man?" she queried. "We would be glad to take them in the
motor as far as the mission. My father suggested it," she added.

"Your father's a brick. I shall be happy to accept, thank you. Just
tell the chauffeur to leave them off in front of the mission and I'll
pick them up when I come over the trail from Sespe. I can make far
better time over the hills without this suitcase, light as it is."

"You're exceedingly welcome, Sergeant. And, by the way, I have decided
not to contest your right to Panchito. It wouldn't be sporty of me to
outbid you for your dead buddy's horse."

His heart leaped.

"I think you're tremendously sweet," he declared bluntly. "As matters
stand, we happen to have a half-brother of Panchito up on the
ranch--or, at least, we did have when I enlisted. He's coming four,
and he ought to be a beauty. I'll break him for you myself. However,"
he added, with a deprecatory grin, "I--I realize you're not the sort of
girl who accepts gifts from strangers; so, if you have a nickel on you,
I'll sell you this horse, sight unseen. If he's gone, I'll give the
nickel back."

"You are quite right," she replied, with an arch smile. "I could not
possibly accept a gift from a stranger. Neither could I buy a horse
from a stranger--no; not even at the ridiculous price of five cents."

"Perhaps if I introduced myself--have I your permission to be that
bold?"