gh he chatted with them gayly, the ranchman's mind was
subconsciously busy with the new factor that had entered into the
problem of his captivity. Why had Rutherford allowed her to come? He
could not understand that. Every added one who knew that he was here
increased the danger to his abductors. He knew how fond the owner of
the horse ranch was of this girl. It was odd that he had let her
become incriminated in his lawless plans. Somehow that did not seem
like Hal Rutherford. One point that stood out like the Map of Texas
brand was the effect of her coming upon his chances. To secure their
safety neither Tighe nor Meldrum would stick at murder. Ten minutes
ago the prudent way out of the difficulty would have been for them to
arrange his death by accident. Now this was no longer feasible. When
the Rutherford girl had stepped into the conspiracy, it became one of
finesse and not bloodshed. Was this the reason that her father had
sent her--to stay the hands of his associates already reaching toward
the prisoner? There was no question that Meldrum's finger had been
itching on the trigger of his revolver for a week. One of the young
Rutherfords had been beside him day and night to restrain the man.

Dave was due for another surprise when Ned presently departed after a
whispered conference with Meldrum and left his sister in the hut.
Evidently something important was taking place in another part of the
park. Had it to do with young Beaudry?

From his reflections the cattleman came to an alert attention. Miss
Rutherford was giving Meldrum instructions to arrange her bed in the
back room.

The convict hesitated. "I can't leave him here alone with you," he
remonstrated surlily.

"Why can't you?" demanded Beulah incisively. "He's tied to the bedpost
and I have my gun. I can shoot as straight as you can. What harm can
he do me in five minutes? Don't be an idiot, Dan."

Meldrum, grumbling, passed into the back room.

In an instant Beulah was at the table, had drawn out a drawer, and had
seized a carving knife. She turned on Dingwell, eyes flashing.

"If I help you to escape, will you swear to say nothing that will hurt
my father or anybody else in the park?" she demanded in a low voice.

"Yes--if young Beaudry has not been hurt."

"You swear it."

"Yes."

She tossed him the knife, and moved swiftly back to the place where she
had been standing. "Whatever my father wants you to do you'd better
d