"Something has," stated the sheriff grimly. "The truth is, that scoundrel Lynch has got to the end of his rope, and we're after him."
The girl's face paled, then flushed deeply. "What--what is it?" she asked in a low, troubled voice. "What has he--"
"It's rather a long story, and I'm afraid there isn't time to stop and tell you now," explained the sheriff as she paused. "We've got to make every minute count. You have no idea which way they went?"
"It must have been west or south," the girl answered promptly. "If they'd gone any other way I should have seen them."
"Fine," said Hardenberg, wheeling his horse. "Don't you worry about anything," he added over one shoulder. "We'll be back in a jiffy."
As he and his men spurred down the slope toward the entrance to middle pasture, the girl's eyes sought Stratton's.
"I must." He quickly answered her unspoken question. "They'll need us to show them the way. We'll be back, though, as soon as we possibly can. You're not nervous, are you? You're perfectly safe, of course, with--"
"Of course," she assured him promptly. "Lynch has gone. There'll be nothing for us to worry about here. Good-by, then, for a while. And do be careful--both of you."
Her face was a trifle pale, and about her mouth and chin were traced a few faint lines which hinted vaguely of forced composure. As Buck hastened to overtake the posse, he recalled her expression, and wondered with a troubled qualm whether she wasn't really more nervous than she let herself appear. Perhaps she might have been more comfortable if he or Bud had remained at the ranch-house.
"Probably it's all my imagination," he decided at length. "With Manning there, she's perfectly safe, especially as we've got the whole gang on the run. The ranch-house would be the very last place they'd head for."
Almost at once they struck a fresh trail, made by a number of horsemen riding in a bunch, which led diagonally across middle pasture. It was easy to follow, and Hardenberg pushed his men hard to make up for delays which were likely to come later on. For a time Buck rode beside the sheriff, discussing their plans and explaining the lay of the land. Then he fell back a little to chat with Jessup.
"I'm sure glad of one thing," Bud said emphatically, after a few desultory remarks. "Miss Mary won't be bothered no more now with that son-of-a-gun hangin' around an' makin' eyes."