"There are plenty of shady characters in the park," he said shortly.
"Wolves in sheep's clothing, that's what they are."

"Bill, our guide, says there may be a holdup at any time."

"Sure there is," he said calmly. "There's one going to be pulled off in
the next day or two."

We sat petrified, and Aggie's eyes were starting out of her head.

"All the trimmings," he went on, staring at the fire. "Innocent and
unsuspecting tourists, lunch, laughter, boiled coffee, and cold ham.
Ambush. The whole business--followed by highwaymen in flannel shirts and
revolvers. Dead tourist or two, desperate resistance--everything."

Aggie rose, pale as an aspen. "You--you are joking!" she cried.

"Do I look like it?" he demanded fiercely. "I tell you there is going to
be the whole thing. At the end the lovely girl will escape on horseback
and ride madly for aid. She will meet the sheriff and a posse, who are
out for a picnic or some such damfool nonsense, and--"

"Young man," Tish said coldly, "if you know all this, why are you
sitting here and not alarming the authorities?"

"Pooh!" he said disagreeably. "It's a put-up scheme, to advertise the
park. Yellowstone's got ahead of them this year, and has had its
excitement, with all the papers ringing with it. That was a gag, too,
probably."