new arrival, standing in the doorway negligently. A glance told
her that he was made up for a road agent and that his revolvers
and mask were a part of the necessary costuming.

Slowly his gaze circled the room and came round to her. His eyes
were hard as diamonds and as flashing, so that the impact of
their meeting looks seemed to shock her physically. He was a tall
man, swarthy of hue, and he carried himself with a light ease
that looked silken strong. Something in the bearing was familiar
yet not quite familiar either. It seemed to suggest a resemblance
to somebody she knew. And in the next thought she knew that the
somebody was Ned Bannister.

The man spoke to Fraser, just then passing with a cup of coffee,
and Helen saw the two men approach. The stranger was coming to be
formally introduced.

"Shake hands with Mr. Holloway, Miss Messiter. He's from up in
the hill country and he rode to our frolic. Y'u've got three
guesses to figure out what he's made up as."

"One will be quite enough, I think," she answered coldly.

Fraser departed on his destination with the coffee and the
newcomer sat down on the bench beside her.

"One's enough, is it?" he drawled smilingly.

"Quite, but I'm surprised so few came in costume. Why didn't you?
But I suppose you had your reasons."