secret, Blossom," she cautioned. "Promise you'll never tell any
one?"

"But--you'll have to tell Dad, Mena. He always goes in with Slade and
Cochise to measure the mash--And you know he sometimes goes in first to
start the cooking."

"Didn't I say I'd take care of Dad?" reassured Carmena.

Lennon stepped before her, his gray eyes wide with dread.

"Wait," he demanded. "What is it you plan to do? Elsie says your
father's partners---- But I have told you the dynamite will destroy
everything in the room. If you scheme to get those men in there, give me
that key. I shall not permit such a trap to remain."

"Why not? You promised to help."

"Not this way. It would be cold-blooded murder."

"You say that when they----?"

Carmena checked her indignant protest and gazed down at her
foster-sister.

"Well, then, how if I use that blast to blow Slade and Cochise apart?"
she inquired. "Suppose I make each think the other put the giant power
in the furnace?"

"Too great a risk. We will explode the charge at once, or draw it."

Carmena's eyes flashed.

"No. They shall not make another drop of poison in that devilpot. But if
we blew it up now, Slade will put the blame on us---- Tell you
what--I'll just misplace the key. That will give us time to act after
Slade comes."

"Have I your promise you will not try to get him into that death trap?"

"Yes."

Back in the living room they became aware that the day was almost gone.
Carmena asked Lennon to cover her from above with his rifle while she
went down to milk the goats. He offered to change places with her, but
had to confess that he did not know how to milk.

The ladder had been drawn up. To save time, the girl directed Lennon to
lower her by means of the hoist rope. Though there was no sign of an
Indian nearer than the corral and she smiled at the suggestion of
danger, he saw her slip her small revolver into the bosom of her dress.

The moment the slackening of the hoist rope told him she had reached the
ground he hurried with his rifle to an embrazured window in the living
room. He looked down and saw her calmly walking away toward the goat
pens. The goats flocked to nibble the salt that she had brought for
them. She knelt down and started milking.

Elsie had already busied herself at the charcoal brazier. After a time,
when her pots were simmering, she came to cuddle up in the window beside
Lennon.

"My goodness, but hasn't it been an awful nice day, Jack,"