the
Upper End. Perhaps her gun had gone off accidentally.

"Or," she concluded with a touch of venom, "it wouldn't be above her to
run off with that long horse foreman."

"Eh?" said the major. "Don't believe it. A fine fig--ahem. Where
should she run to? And why run at all?"

Marcia looked a quick distress to Mr. Hampton.

"It _is_ late," she said timidly, "Oh, Pollock! Do you think----"

No longer to be restrained, Hampton left them and went to his room for
a rifle and cartridge-belt. He intended to slip out quietly, feeling
that he would get from Farris and Rogers only the sort of disbelief he
had gotten from Carson. Marcia met him in the hall; she had heard his
quick steps and guessed that he was going out. Now clearly, though she
was frightened, she was delighted with him. He had never thrilled her
like this before. She had never guessed that Pollock Hampton could be
so stern-faced, so purposeful. She whispered an entreaty that he be
careful, then as he went out, ran back to the others, her eyes shining.

"Pollock is going to see what is the matter," she announced excitedly.
Whereat Mrs. Langworthy stared at her and then indicated facially her
supreme disgust. The major suggested taking something, the occasion so
plainly demanding it.

Hampton passed swiftly through the courtyard. He saw the light of the
bunk-house gleaming brightly. On his way down the knoll he came upon
Tommy Burkitt.

"Is it Mr. Hampton?" asked Tommy, coming close in the darkness to peer
at him.

"Yes. What is it? Who are you?"

"I'm Burkitt, Tommy Burkitt, you know--Bud Lee's helper. I--I am
afraid something has happened. Lee hasn't come in yet; they tried to
pick him off once already, you know----"

"Neither has Miss Sanford come in," said Hampton quickly, sensing here
at last a fear that was fellow to his own. "They rode toward the Upper
End. You know the way, Burkitt?"

He moved on toward the corral; Burkitt turned and came with him.

"Sure I know the trail," muttered Tommy. "You're goin' to see what's
wrong with 'em! Miss Judy, too! My God----"

"Bring out a couple of horses," Hampton commanded crisply. "We've lost
time enough already."

"I'll go tell Carson an' the boys----"

"I have already told Carson. He says it's all nonsense. Leave him
alone."

Tommy, boy that he was, asked no further questions, but ran ahead and
brought out two horses. In a twinkling he had saddled them, and the
two r