anded George the card, which proved to be
a carefully drawn key-plan of the photograph, with the figures
outlined. "You can mark this one."

George did as he was told, and then handed the photograph to Flora.

"How did your people get it?" he asked the trooper.

"I can't say; they don't go into explanations."

"But what do you think? Did Flett take the photograph?"

"No, sir; I heard him tell the sergeant he knew nothing about a camera.
He may have got somebody to take it or may have bought the thing."

"Do you know where he is?"

"I only know he got special orders after Mr. Grant was robbed. It's my
idea he was somewhere around when the photograph was taken."

"I wonder where it was taken? In Alberta, perhaps, though I'm inclined
to think it was on the other side of the frontier."

"That is my opinion," said Flora. "There's not a great difference
between us and our neighbors, but the dress of the mounted men and the
style of the stores are somehow American. I'd say Montana, or perhaps
Dakota."

"Montana," said the trooper. "The big bunch of cattle seems to fix it."

"Then you think Flett is over there?" asked George. "I'm interested,
so is Miss Grant, and you needn't be afraid of either of us spreading
what you say."

"It's my notion that Flett has spotted his men, but I guess he's now
watching out near the boundary in Canada. These rustler fellows can't
do all their business on one side; they'll have to cross now and then.
Flett's in touch with some of the American sheriffs, who'll give him
the tip, and the first time the fellows slip over the frontier he'll
get them. That would suit everybody better and save a blamed lot of
formalities."

Flora nodded.

"It strikes me as very likely; and Flett's perhaps the best man you
could have sent. But have you shown the photograph to my father?"

"I did that before I left the homestead. There's nobody in the picture
like the fellow who drove with Mr. Grant, and he tells me he saw nobody
else. Now I must be getting on."

He rode away, and Flora reverted to the topic she and George had been
discussing.

"So you believe Mr. West is thinking of living here altogether! I
suppose he would be able to take a farm of moderate size?"

"It wouldn't be very large; he can't have much money, but his people
would help him to make a start if they were satisfied. That means they
would consult me."

Flora smiled.

"And you feel you would be in a difficult