d of his men he
drew mental pictures that broadened his grin and brought into his eyes an
abysmal gleam.

CHAPTER XXIV

KIDNAPPED

Barbara Morgan had yielded to the fever of impatience which had afflicted
her during the latter days of Harlan's absence from the Rancho Seco. She
had been impatient ever since she had been forced to stay close to the
house by Harlan's orders; but she had fought it off until now, for she
had been interested in Harlan, and had felt a deep wonder over his
probable actions regarding her future.

She had known, of course, that real danger from Deveny existed, for the
incident in Lamo had convinced her of that, but she felt that Harlan's
fears for her were rather extravagant--it was rather improbable that
Deveny would come boldly to the Rancho Seco and attempt to carry her away
by force.

The clear, brilliant sunshine of the country dispelled so grotesque a
thought; the peaceful hills seemed to smile their denial; and the broad
level near the entrance to the basin sent a calm message of reassurance
to her.

She had known Red Linton for a long time--for he had been with her father
for nearly two seasons--and she had respected him for what he had seemed
to be, a quiet, rather humorous man who did his work well, though without
flourishes. He had never figured prominently in her thoughts, however,
until the day Harlan had appointed him foreman of the Rancho Seco, and
then her attention had been attracted to him because he had seemed
interested in her.

And she had noted that Linton's interest in her seemed to grow after
Harlan's departure. He had talked with her several times, and she had
questioned him about Harlan's whereabouts. But Linton had not seemed to
know; at least, if he did know, he kept his knowledge strictly to
himself, not even intimating that he knew where Harlan had gone.

Another thing she noted was that Linton seemed to have her under
surveillance. Whenever she left the house--even for a short ride
eastward--where Harlan had told her she might ride without danger--she
discovered that Linton immediately mounted his horse, to linger somewhere
in sight.

The knowledge that she was watched began to irritate her and this morning
she had got up with a determination to ride without company. With that
end in view she had kept Billy all night in the patio; and when rather
late in the morning she saw Linton riding eastward, she hurriedly threw
saddle and bridle on the hor