his promise and had the satisfaction of knowing that both his
clients were backing him heartily.

"Go to it, Allen," Mr. Nelson said at the end of the conference. "Seems
to me that you have gotten the correct angle on this thing, and if you
need any help from me just call on me. Only," he warned, "don't run
yourself into unnecessary trouble."

"I've found, sir," said Allen, with that straight-forward look that made
every one like and admire him, "that it's usually the fellow who runs
away from trouble who gets the most of it. I'm not worrying about that
end of the business."

But if he did not worry, Betty certainly did in the days that followed.
She had dreams at night in which she saw Allen riding about in the
shadows. There would be a report, two reports, and he would topple over
backwards to lie crumpled up and motionless. No wonder that she became
pale and lost her appetite and made her mother worry even in the midst
of the excitement over this double hunt--the hunt for men and gold.

One night after dinner Allen asked her to ride with him a little way,
said it would do him a lot of good just to talk to her. Betty agreed,
and they cantered off in the twilight, their bodies swaying to the
rhythm of the beautiful animals under them.

For a long time they were silent, just enjoying the rapid motion, the
sweet scented air that fanned their faces, the beauty of the hazy
mountains in the distance. Then, suddenly Allen spoke.

"Betty," he said, swinging round toward her, "you aren't letting this
thing get on your nerves, are you?"

"Wh-what do you mean?" she asked faintly. "What thing?"

"This gold business--the excitement of it all," he said, waving his hand
largely as though to take in the whole landscape. "I've noticed you
looked tired lately," he went on gently, "and I've worried about it,
little Betty. I--I have almost dared to hope," he leaned toward her, but
Betty was looking the other way, "that you were a little anxious about
me. Were you?"

"Why--I--yes--no--why--I don't know," cried Betty wildly, then, meeting
his eye, she laughed, a twinkling little laugh. "You shouldn't ask
questions like that, not so suddenly, anyway," she said primly. "It
isn't fair."

"Never mind, I got my answer," said Allen jubilantly, and again Betty
found it a little hard to look at him. "You mustn't worry though,
little girl," he went on gently. "There isn't any danger--really. I'm
just playing a delightful little game--a