e and the departure of the wagon the
range boss had given no sign that he knew of the existence of Ferguson.
Nor had he intimated by word or sign that he meditated revenge upon
Rope because of the latter's championship of the stray-man. If he had
any such intention he concealed it with consummate skill. He treated
Rope with a politeness that drew smiles to the faces of the men. But
Ferguson saw in this politeness a subtleness of purpose that gave him
additional light on the range boss's character. A man who held his
vengeance at his finger tips would have taken pains to show Rope that
he might expect no mercy. Had Leviatt revealed an open antagonism to
Rope, the latter might have known what to expect when at last the two
men would reach the open range and the puncher be under the direct
domination of the man he had offended.

There were many ways in which a petty vengeance might be gratified. It
was within the range boss's power to make life nearly unbearable for
the puncher. If he did this it would of course be an unworthy
vengeance, and Ferguson had little doubt that any vengeance meditated
by Leviatt would not be petty.

Ferguson went his own way, deeply thoughtful. He was taking his time.
Certain things were puzzling him. Where did Leviatt stand in this
rustling business? That was part of the mystery. Stafford had told
him that he had Leviatt's word that Radford was the thief who had been
stealing the Two Diamond cattle. Stafford had said also that it had
been Leviatt who had suggested employing a gunfighter--had even gone to
Dry Bottom with the manager for the purpose of finding one. And now
that one had been employed Leviatt had become suddenly antagonistic to
him.

And Leviatt was in the habit of visiting the Radford cabin. Of course
he might be doing this for the purpose of spying upon Ben Radford, but
if that were the case why had he shown so venomous when he had seen
Ferguson sitting on the porch on the evening of the day after the
latter had been bitten by the rattler?

Mary Radford had told him that Leviatt was her brother's friend. If he
was a friend of the brother why had he suggested that Stafford employ a
gunfighter to shoot him? Here was more mystery.

On a day soon after the departure of the wagon outfit he rode away
through the afternoon sunshine. Not long did his thoughts dwell upon
the mystery of the range boss and Ben Radford. He kept seeing a young
woman kneeling in front o