n the dark. No one likes
to be fired on by someone he can't see--as we all found out. Now it's
time to give them some of their own medicine."

"Yes sir!" exclaimed the Kid. "I wish I could stay with you, Dick, and
have a crack at them myself."

"You come along with us, Kid. We'll be back before dawn, and you'll
see plenty of action then. Now is there anything you boys want before
we leave?" asked the secret service man.

"Might bring back a snack for us," Bud suggested. "It's cold and
hungry work waiting in the dark. Not that we mind it," he added
quickly, "as long as it helps capture Delton. And if you can make it,
Mr. Hawkins, please get back as soon as you can. They may try to make
a rush for it."

"We will--we'll be back as soon as we get things right at the ranch and
maybe snatch an hour's rest. Depends on how much time we have. But
we'll surely be back before it's light."

This conversation was being carried on near a small group of trees,
just out of sight of the old farm or ranch house. Now Hawkins and the
rest turned their ponies toward home. Dick and Bud, of course, were
due to remain and watch Delton's retreat.

"Now we're on our own," Bud said as he listened to the hoof-beats of
the horses gradually dying away. "Let's get up to where we can see the
house."

"What about the broncs? Think we better leave them?"

"Well, what do you think? We want them near us so we can get going
quick if we have to. Suppose we tie them as close to the house as we
can without being seen?"

"That's a good idea. Well, there's the place. Somebody's sure in it.
All lit up!"

The boys stood and looked at the old farm house which loomed in the
moonlight before them. It was certainly inhabited, for several lights
were glowing on the ground floor, and every now and then a figure would
pass in front of the lamps, casting a shadow plainly visible from the
outside.

"Got a lot of nerve, walking around like that in front of lamps," Bud
commented. "Easy to take a pot-shot at them."

"Guess they don't figure us as the kind for that sort of thing," Dick
responded. "And we're not, either--though it would serve them right if
someone did let ride at the window."

The two boys now took up their positions agreed upon--Dick around to
the left, and Bud to the right. They were thus separated from each
other by about three hundred yards.

"Mustn't start thinking foolish things!" Dick exclaimed to himself.
"Got