thout waiting for an invitation his visitor
seated himself on the end of the bunk and stared back squarely into
the angry face. It did him good, as he remembered the events of the
night before, to thus beard this man who hated him to the point of
murder.

He waited for Jake to reply; and while his gaze wandered over the
cruel, intolerant, overbearing face he found himself speculating as to
the caste of that which lay hidden beneath the black, coarse mat of
beard.

At last the reply came, and he had expected no better.

"What in h---- are you doin' here?" Jake asked brutally. Then, as an
afterthought, "Why ain't you out on the range?"

Tresler permitted himself to lounge over on his elbow and cross his
legs with an aggravating air of ease.

"For much the same reason that you are only just finishing your grub.
I overslept myself."

And he watched Jake choke back the furious retort that suddenly leapt
to his lips. It was evident, even to the intolerant disposition of the
foreman, that it was no time for abuse and anger. This man had come to
him for some particular purpose, and it behooved him to keep guard on
himself. The doings of the night before were in his mind, and he
realized that it would be well to meet him coolly. Therefore, instead
of the outburst so natural to him, he contented himself with a cool
survey of his antagonist, while he put a non-committing inquiry.

"Wal?"

And Tresler knew that his presence was accepted, and that he had
scored the first point. At once he assumed a businesslike air. He sat
up and generally displayed a briskness quite out of keeping with his
former attitude.

"I suppose I ought to apologize for my intrusion," he began, "but when
you have heard my story, you will understand its necessity. I had a
busy night last night."

If he had expected any effect from this announcement he was
disappointed. Jake's face never for a moment relaxed its grim look of
attention.

"Yes," he went on, as the foreman remained silent. "These
raiders--this Red Mask, or whatever he is called--I saw him last
night. I saw him here on this ranch."

Jake stirred. He eyed his companion as though he would read him
through and through.

"You saw--Red Mask--last night?" he said slowly.

"Yes. I saw him and one of his satellites."

"Go on." It was all the man vouchsafed, but it spoke volumes.

And Tresler at once proceeded with his story of the midnight visit of
the masked rider and his companion.