have screamed," said Joy. "I
know I would."

"That's probably what those bandits wanted. To scare us so we wouldn't
go back. I hate to have them get away with it."

At noon when the men returned to lunch, they had no good report.
Although they had hunted the hills for miles, not a trace of the
professor had been found. He had disappeared.

Before lunch was over Kie Wicks appeared at the ranch house. "I just
heard of the old man being lost, so Maude wanted me to come right over
and join the search party. I think a lot of the professor and want to
do my bit."

Bet looked at the man in astonishment.

"I would never have believed it," she whispered to Kit. "It just shows
how we misjudge a person. I thought he would be the last man in the
world to appeal to for help, and here he comes of his own free will and
offers it."

"People always have _some_ good in them."

Joy shook her head. "From the first I hated that man and feared him."

"And now you see, Joy Evans, how mistaken you were. He's a good man at
heart," exclaimed Bet.

But Kit was skeptical. "I wish I could believe it. I feel as if I
were playing with a rattlesnake. He's treacherous! I think we'd
better watch our step."

"Of course, I know that Kie Wicks is unscrupulous in the matter of
jumping claims, but you see he has a human side after all. He seems
quite cut up about the professor being lost," Bet interrupted.

"And did you notice how indignant he was over the ruffians at the
claim? I believe he'll help us to get rid of them," said Enid
confidently.

"But those men didn't do a thing worse than Kie Wicks! Not half as
bad, for they were open and above board. They pointed guns on us and
Kie sneaked up after dark and stole our papers. No, girls, his change
of heart is altogether too sudden to be sincere. Keep an eye on him!"
advised Kit.

Whether the men at the ranch believed in Kie's innocence or not, they
accepted his offer of help and let him organize the searchers.

"Let's go over and see what Ramon Salazar is up to. He's a scoundrel
and looks it. Maybe he knows something about your old man," suggested
Kie.

"Can't we go, too?" begged the girls. The judge was about to object,
but when he saw the look of disappointment in Bet's face, he changed
his mind.

"Why, it's all right, I think. I don't see that there will be any
danger if you stay with me."

Bet ran for her horse. "Come on, girls, let's go!"

The group d