and it was nearly noon before Rimrock was
free and on his way to the hotel. He was just leaping out of his
taxicab when he saw Mrs. Hardesty reeling towards him.

"Oh, Rimrock!" she gasped, "I've had such a blow--won't you take me
back to my rooms? Oh, I can't explain it, but Whitney H. Stoddard is
trying to force me to give up my stock! That Tecolote stock----"

"Here, get into this taxi!" said Rimrock on the instant, "now where do
you want to go?"

"To the St. Cyngia on Ninety-fifth Street--and hurry!" she commanded;
and the chauffeur slammed the door.

"Now what's the matter?" demanded Rimrock hurriedly. "I haven't got a
minute to spare. Did you notice Navajoa? Well, I've got a buy order
in----"

"Oh, no! I've seen nothing--not since he sent me that message! It
seems he's back in town."

"Who? Whitney Stoddard? Well, let me get out then--I've got to get
back to that tape!"

"Oh, no!" she murmured sinking against him with a shudder, "don't go
and leave me alone. I need your help, Rimrock! My whole fortune is
involved. It's either that or give back the stock."

"What stock?" asked Rimrock, "that two thousand Tecolote? Well, you
just give that to me! Have you really got it, or are you just
stalling? Let me look at it and I'll see you through hell!"

"It's in my apartment," she answered weakly. "I'll show it to you when
we are there. Ah, Rimrock, something told me you would come to save
me. But--oh, I'm ready to fall."

She dropped against him and the startled Rimrock took her quickly
within his arm. They rode on swiftly and as she lay panting on his
breast she told him the story of her misfortune.

"I don't deserve it," she said, "to have you help me, because I started
to do you a wrong. I didn't know you then, nor your generous
heart--and so I made the agreement with Stoddard. I was to go to
Gunsight and get acquainted with you and get you to come back to New
York--and for that I was to receive two thousand shares of Tecolote
stock. Oh, not as a present--I'd never think of that--but far below
what they are worth. It would take all the money I had in the world
just to make a part payment on the stock. But I knew how wonderfully
valuable they were and so I took the chance."

She sighed and leaned against him closer while Rimrock listened eagerly
for the rest.

"Can you understand now why I've seemed worried, and anxious and why
I've concealed my affairs? I went there and met you