t
need me, anyway--they'll get Sanderson."

So he justified his lack of courage, and spent some hours reading. But
at last the strain grew too great, and as the dusk came on he began to
have thoughts of Dal Colton. Ben Nyland must have reached home by this
time. Had Colton succeeded?

He thought of riding to Nyland's ranch, but he gave up that idea when
he reasoned that perhaps Colton had failed, and in that case Nyland
wouldn't be the most gentle person in the world to face on his own
property.

If Colton had succeeded he would find him, in Okar. So he mounted his
horse and rode to Okar.

The town seemed to be deserted when he dismounted in front of the City
Hotel. He did not go inside the building, merely looking in through
one of the windows, and seeing a few men in there, playing cards in a
listless manner. He did not see Colton.

He looked into several other windows. Colton was nowhere to be seen.
In several places Dale inquired about him. No one had seen Colton that
day.

No one said anything to Dale about what had happened. Perhaps they
thought he knew. At any rate, Dale heard no word of what had
transpired during his absence. Men spoke to him, or nodded--and looked
away, to look at him when his back was turned.

All this had its effect on Dale. He noted the restraint, he felt the
atmosphere of strangeness. But he blamed it all on the queer
premonition that had taken possession of his senses. It was not Okar
that looked strange, nor the men, it was himself.

He went to the bank building and entered the rear door, clumping
heavily up the stairs, for he felt a heavy depression. When he opened
the door at the top of the stairs night had come. A kerosene lamp on a
table in the room blinded him for an instant, and he stood, blinking at
it.

When his eyes grew accustomed to the glare he saw Peggy Nyland sitting
up in bed, looking at him.

She did not say anything, but continued to look at him. There was
wonder in her eyes, and Dale saw it. It was wonder over Dale's
visit--over his coming to Okar. Ben must have missed him, for Dale was
alive! Dale could not have heard what had happened.

"You're better, eh?" said Dale.

She merely nodded her reply, and watched Dale as he crossed the room.

Reaching a door that led into another room, Dale turned.

"Where's Maison?"

Peggy pointed at the door on whose threshold Dale stood.

Dale entered. What he saw in the room caused him to come