"There is no message," she announced. "Why have you misjudged me? Are
all men alike? Thank you for what you did for me to-day. Good-by."

She again lifted her whip and it was about to fall upon Midnight's
flank when Reynolds stepped forward and laid his right hand upon the
horse's bridle.

"Forgive me," he pleaded. "I meant nothing. I was merely joking.
Perhaps I understand more than you realise. May I accompany you home?
It is not safe for you to travel alone, unarmed as you are, in a place
like this."

"No, no, you must not come," the girl protested. "It is much safer for
me than it would be for you. Never cross the Golden Crest. I have
warned you, so remember."

Again she touched her whip to Midnight, who leaped forward up the steep
trail, pleased to be away from the place where he had received such a
fright. Only once did the girl look back to wave a friendly hand to
Reynolds ere a sharp turn in the trail hid her from view.




CHAPTER VII

BOTTLES WILL DO

For a few minutes Reynolds stood and looked up the trail after the girl
and horse had disappeared from view. He was strongly tempted to follow