rom approaching it. The girl heard the gate close
behind her.

It was evident that Mr. Hammond had been apprised of Dakota Joe's
attempt to bring the Indian girl into court. Of course, the judge would
deny his appeal; but a court session would delay the party's journey
westward.

Ruth saw the other girls ahead of her, and she ran to the car. Mr.
Hammond himself was on the platform to welcome them.

"That fellow is a most awful nuisance. I had to make an arrangement with
the railroad company to get us out of here at once. Luckily I have a
friend high up among the officials of the company. Come aboard, Miss
Ruth. Everybody else is here and we are about to start."

CHAPTER XIV

THE HUBBELL RANCH

"You see, Miss Ruth," Mr. Hammond told the girl of the Red Mill as the
special car rolled out of the railroad yard, "this Dakota Joe has become
a very annoying individual. We had to fairly run away from him."

"I do not understand," Ruth said. "I think he should be shown his
place--and that place I believe is the police station."

"It would be rather difficult to get him into that for any length of
time. And in any case," and the picture producer smiled, it would cost
more than it would be worth. He really has done nothing for which he can
be punished--"

"I don't know. He might have had me killed that time his auto ran me
down," interrupted Ruth, indignantly.

"But the trouble is, we cannot prove that," Mr. Hammond hastened to
repeat. "I will see that you are fully protected from him hereafter."

Mr. Hammond did not realize what a large undertaking that was to be.
But he meant it at the time.

"The man is in trouble--no doubt of it," went on the producer
reflectively. "He has had a bad season, and his winter prospects are not
bright. I gave him an hour of my time yesterday before I advised you
that we would better get away from Chicago."

"But what does he expect of you, Mr. Hammond?" asked Ruth in surprise.

"He claims we are the cause of his unhappy business difficulties. His
show in on the verge of disintegrating. He wanted me to back him with
several thousand dollars. Of course, that is impossible."

"Why!" cried Ruth, "I would not risk a cent with such a man."

"I suppose not. And I felt no urge to comply with his request. He was
really so rough about it, and became so ugly, that I had to have him
shown out of the house."

"Goodness! I am glad we are going far away from him."

"Yes, he is not a