ountain and many roses, out upon which a dozen doorways
looked; wide verandas with glimpses beyond of fireplaces and long
expanses of polished floor. For, until recently, this had been not
only the headquarters of Blue Lake Ranch, but the home as well of the
chief of its several owners. Luke Sanford, whose own efforts alone had
made him at forty-five a man to be reckoned with, had followed his
fancy here extensively and expensively, allowing himself this one
luxury of his many lean, hard years. Then, six months ago, just as his
ambitions were stepping to fresh heights, just as his hands were
filling with newer, greater endeavor, there had come the mishap in the
mountains and Sanford's tragic death.

Lee passed silently through the courtyard, by the fountain which in the
brightening air was like a chain of silver run through invisible hands,
down the veranda bathed in the perfume of full-blown roses, and so came
to the door at the far end. The door stood open; within was the office
of Bayne Trevors, general manager. Lee entered, his hat still far back
upon his head. The sound of his boots upon the bare floor caused
Trevors to look up quickly.

"Hello, Lee," he said quietly. "Wait a minute, will you?"

Quite a different type from Lee, Bayne Trevors was heavy and square and
hard. His eyes were the glinting gray eyes of a man who is forceful,
dynamic, the sort of man who is a better captain than lieutenant, whose
hands are strong to grasp life by the throat and demand that she stand
and deliver. Only because of his wide and successful experience, of
his initiative, of his way of quick, decisive action mated to a marked
executive ability, had Luke Sanford chosen Bayne Trevors as his
right-hand man in so colossal a venture as the Blue Lake Ranch. Only
because of the same pushing, vigorous personality was he this morning
general manager, with the unlimited authority of a dictator over a
petty principality.

In a moment Trevors lifted his frowning eyes from the table, turning in
his chair to confront Lee, who stood lounging in leisurely manner
against the door-jamb.

"That young idiot wants money again," he growled, his voice as sharp
and quick as his eyes. "As if I didn't have enough to contend with
already!"

"Meaning young Hampton, I take it?" said Lee quietly.

Trevors nodded savagely.

"Telegram. Caught it over the line the last thing last night. We'll
have to sell some horses this time, Lee."

Lee