he door of the house, Bud knocked boldly. There was no answer. He
knocked again, this time a little harder. Still no result.

"Wonder if there's anyone around?" asked Dick. "Suppose we take a look
at the side."

"Here's someone," Bud declared as there was a sound of a key grating in
a lock. "They certainly keep things tight down here."

The door opened slowly. In its frame stood a man of slight build, and,
by cowboy standards, dressed effeminately. He wore a "boiled" collar,
small black string tie, low cut vest and gray trousers. His long black
hair, with a slight shine on it, was brushed straight back.

"What'll you have, gents?" he asked. "Lookin' for me?"

"We're looking for the man in charge of the ranch," Dick said slowly.
"If you can qualify, then I guess it's you we want to see."

"Right! And what can I do for you?"

"This will tell you," spoke Bud, handing him a copy of the bill of sale
for the ranch. "We're the new owners. You rent the place, don't you?
I believe the deed says your term was up last month. Sorry to have to
put you out, but business is business. Can you get ready to shift by
to-morrow morning, do you think? We'll make out down in town for
to-night."

The man in the doorway didn't answer. He read over the paper Bud had
handed him and then looked up. His expression was anything but
friendly.

"And I'm supposed to beat it out of here, hey?" he asked coldly.

"Afraid so," answered Bud.

The man suddenly stepped to one side.

"Come in a minute, boys," he suggested. It was evident that his manner
had undergone a change. He seemed more friendly.

"You just get in?" he asked.

"Yes--we were delayed on the way, or we would have gotten here sooner."

"Sit down, boys."

As the slightly-built man was drawing up chairs Bud cast a quick glance
at Dick. "Watch out"! his look signaled. But there seemed no need for
suspicion. "J. D.," as they had heard him called, appeared harmless.

"I take it you boys are sensible?" he began when they were seated.

"Hope so," Dick answered with a slight grin. "We've never been in any
asylum that I know of."

"Check! Now I'd like to talk business with you. First of all, could
you use one thousand dollars?"

At this surprising query Dick and Bud started. One thousand dollars!
It represented a small fortune. Bud thought of the herd of cattle they
had just lost and was about to reply affirmatively, when he felt,
rather than saw, a