will know what to do."

"And you want us to stay?" asked the other doubtfully.

"Stay--of course; I am going to stay myself. It is the only way to
divert suspicion. Good Lord, man, if we all disappeared at once they
would know easy enough what had happened. Don't you ever believe
Westcott is that kind of a fool. More than that--there will be no
safety for us now until we get him out of the way; he knows too much.
Whereas your fat friend--old money-bags?"

"He thought it best to keep out of it; he's back inside."

"I imagined so; this sort of thing is not in his line. All ready, Joe?"

The man at the wagon muttered some response.

"Then up you go, miss; here, put your foot on the wheel; give her a
lift, will you?"

Anxious to escape further indignities, and comprehending the
uselessness of any further struggle, with a man on either side of her,
Miss Donovan silently clambered into the wagon, and seated herself on a
wide board, evidently arranged for that purpose. The fellow who had
held back the top followed, and snuggled into the seat beside her. She
noticed now he held a gun in his hand, which he deposited between his
knees. The leader drew back the flap of canvas endeavouring to peer
into the dark interior.

"All set?"

"Sure."

"Well, keep awake, Joe, and mind what I told yer. Now, Moore, up with
you, and drive like hell; you must be in the bad lands before daylight."

A fellow clambered to the seat in front, his figure outlined against
the sky, and picked up the reins. Those within could hear the
shuffling of the horses' feet as though they were eager to be off. The
driver leaned forward.

"Whoa, there, now; quiet, Jerry. Did you say I was to take the ridge
road?"

"You bet; it's all rock and will leave no trail. Take it easy and
quiet until you are beyond Hennessey's ranch, and then give them the
whip."

The next moment they were under way, slowly advancing through the
darkness.

CHAPTER XVII: IN THE SHOSHONE DESERT

Her guard spoke no word as the wagon rolled slowly onward, but she
judged that he leaned back against the bow supporting the canvas in an
effort to make himself as comfortable as possible. She could see
nothing of the fellow in the darkness, but had formed an impression
that he was of medium size, his face covered with a scraggly beard.
The driver sat bundled up in formless perspective against the line of
sky, but she knew from his voice that he was the man who