"And Siegfried?"

"The Swede won't trouble you unless this Texan dies. I'll send you
word in time if he does."

Later a skulking shadow sneaked into the corral and out again. Once
out of hearing, it leaped to the back of the horse and galloped wildly
into the night.

CHAPTER XIV

HOWARD EXPLAINS

Two horsemen rode into Millikan's Draw and drew up in front of the big
ranch house. To the girl who stepped to the porch to meet them they
gave friendly greeting. One of them asked:

"How're things coming, Arlie?"

"Better and better every day, Dick. Yesterday the doctor said he was
out of danger."

"It's been a tough fight for Steve," the other broke in. "Proper
nursing is what pulled him through. Doc says so."

"Did he say that, Alec? I'll always think it was doc. He fought for
that life mighty hard, boys."

Alec Howard nodded: "Doc Lee's the stuff. Here he comes now, talking