nto her confidence.

There was no friend, however, that she cared to confide in save Pratt.
And it would anger her father if she spoke to the young fellow about the
treasure.

She knew this to be a fact, for when Pratt Sanderson had ridden over
from the Edwards Ranch to inquire after Captain Rugley's health, the old
ranchman had sent out a courteously worded refusal to see Pratt.

"I'm not so awfully fond of that young chap," the Captain said,
reflectively, at the time. "And seems to me, Frances, he's mighty
curious about my health."

"But, Daddy!" Frances cried, "he was only asking out of good feeling."

"I don't know that," growled the old ranchman. "I haven't forgotten that
he was here in the house the night that other fellow tried to break in.
Looks curious to me, Frances--sure does!"

She might have told him right then about Ratty M'Gill and the man Pete;
but Frances was not an impulsive girl. She studied about things, as the
colloquialism has it. And she knew very well that the mere fact that
Ratty and the stranger were friends would not disprove Pratt's
connection with the midnight marauder. Pete might have had an aid
inside, as well as outside, the _hacienda_.

So Frances said nothing more to the old ranchman, and nothing at all to
Pratt about that which troubled her. They spoke of inconsequential
things on the veranda, where Ming served cool drinks; and then the
Amarillo young man rode away.

"Sue Latrop and that crowd will be out to-morrow, I expect," he said, as
he departed. "Don't know when I can get over again, Frances. I'll have
to beau them around a bit."

"Good-bye, Pratt," said Frances, without comment.

"By the way," called Pratt, from his saddle and holding in his pony,
"your father being so ill isn't going to make you give up your part in
the pageant, Frances?"

"Plenty of time for that," she returned, but without smiling. "I hope
father will be well before the date set for the show."

Pratt's departure left Frances with a sinking heart; but she did not
betray her feelings. To be all alone with her father and the two
Chinamen at the ranch-house seemed hard indeed; and with the
responsibility of the treasure chest on her heart, too!

Her father, it was true, had insisted on having his couch placed at
night in the room with the Spanish chest. He seemed to consider that,
ill as he was, he could guard the treasure better than anybody else.

Frances had to devise a plan without either her