ing to take a shot at it right
now. If nobody asks you, I need it!"

Now, Lee heard for the first time something of Judith's adventure.
For, recognizing the ranger in Greene, she told him swiftly why she had
started the fire, of her trouble with Quinnion, of the cave where
Quinnion had attacked her and of Mad Ruth. Greene's eyes lighted with
interest. He swept off his hat and came forward, suddenly apologetic
and very human, proffering his brandy, insisting with Lee upon her
taking a sip of it.

Yes, he knew Mad Ruth, he knew where her cabin was. He could find the
cave from Judith's description. Also, he knew of Quinnion and would be
delighted to break a record getting back to his station and to White
Rock. White Rock was in the next county, but so, for that matter, was
the cave. He'd get the sheriff and would lose no time cornering
Quinnion if the man had not already slipped away.

"I don't know you two real well," said Greene, with a quick smile at
the end, "but if you don't mind, pardner," and he put out his hand to
Lee, "I'd like to congratulate you! I don't know a man that's quite as
lucky this morning as you are!"

"Thank you," laughed Judith. She rose and shook hands too. "We're at
Blue Lake ranch for the present. Come and see us."

"Then you're Miss Sanford?" said Greene. He laughed. "I've heard of
you more than once. Greene's my name."

"Lee's mine," offered Lee.

"Bud Lee, eh? Oh, you two will do! So long, friends. I'm off to look
up Quinnion."

And, swinging his axe blithely, Greene took his departure.

"There are other things in the world besides just cliffs to stare at,"
said Judith. "And I would like a bath and a change of clothes and a
chance to brush my hair. And the bacon doesn't taste so good as it did
and I want an apple and a glass of milk."

So at last they left the mountain-top and made their slow way down.

As they went Lee told her something of what had happened at the ranch,
how Carson would hold off the buyers, how Tommy Burkitt was assuming
charge of Pollock Hampton. And when they came near enough to Burkitt's
and Hampton's hiding-place, Lee fired a rifle several times to get
Burkitt's attention. Finally they saw the boy, standing against the
sky upon a big rock, waving to them. From Lee's shouts, from his
gestures, chiefly from the fact that Judith was there, Burkitt
understood and freed Hampton, the two of them coming swiftly down a to
Judith and Lee.

H