said the Inspector, "this trail strikes toward the Blackfoot
Reserve by way of your ranch."

"My ranch!" cried Cameron. "My God! Look there!"

As he spoke the ginger-colored broncho leaped into a gallop. Five miles
away a thin column of smoke could be seen rising up into the air. Every
mile made it clearer to Cameron that the smoke rising from behind the
round-topped hill before him was from his ranch-buildings, and every
mile intensified his anxiety. His wife was alone on the ranch at the
mercy of that fiend. That was the agonizing thought that tore at his
heart as his panting broncho pounded along the trail. From the top
of the hill overlooking the ranch a mile away his eye swept the scene
below, swiftly taking in the details. The ranch-house was in flames and
burning fiercely. The stables were untouched. A horse stood tied to
the corral and two figures were hurrying to and fro about the blazing
building. As they neared the scene it became clear that one of the
figures was that of a woman.

"Mandy!" he shouted from afar. "Mandy, thank God it's you!"

But they were too absorbed in their business of fighting the fire. They
neither heard nor saw him till he flung himself off his broncho at their
side.

"Oh, thank God, Mandy!" he panted, "you are safe." He gathered her into
his arms.

"Oh, Allan, I am so sorry."

"Sorry? Sorry? Why?"

"Our beautiful house!"

"House?"

"And all our beautiful things!"

"Things!" He laughed aloud. "House and things! Why, Mandy, I have YOU
safe. What else matters?" Again he laughed aloud, holding her off from
him at arm's length and gazing at her grimy face. "Mandy," he said, "I
believe you are improving every day in your appearance, but you never
looked so stunning as this blessed minute." Again he laughed aloud. He
was white and trembling.

"But the house, Allan!"

"Oh, yes, by the way," he said, "the house. And who's the Johnny
carrying water there?"

"Oh, I quite forgot. That's Thatcher's new man."

"Rather wobbly about the knees, isn't he?" cried Cameron. "By Jove,
Mandy! I feared I should never see you again," he said in a voice that
trembled and broke. "And what's the chap's name?" he inquired.

"Smith, I think," said Mandy.

"Smith? Fine fellow! Most useful name!" cried Cameron.

"What's the matter, Allan?"

"The matter? Nothing now, Mandy. Nothing matters. I was afraid that--but
no matter. Hello, here's the Inspector!"

"Dear Mrs. Cameron," cried the Inspe