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MacDonald gave a grunt of disgust that was like the whoof of a bear. "It's done business all that time," he growled good humouredly. "An' it ain't ever made me jump through any window as I remember of, Johnny!" "Enough," said Aldous, and in the gloom he gripped the other's hand. "You'll be there, Mac in front of the Blacktons' just as it's growing light?"
When they returned to the bungalow, a little before noon, he went to his room, shaved himself, and in other ways prepared for dinner. Joanne and the Blacktons were waiting when he came down. His first look at Joanne assured him. She was dressed in a soft gray walking-suit.
Once or twice he saw in Joanne's clear eyes a look which made him suspect that she had guessed very near to the truth. MacDonald was prompt to the minute. Gray day, with its bars of golden tint, was just creeping over the shoulders of the eastern mountains when he rode up to the Blacktons'. The old hunter was standing close to the horse which Joanne was to ride when Aldous brought her out.
With the note still in his hand he repeated to them what he had told Blackton that he had received word which made it immediately urgent for him to go to MacDonald. He shook hands with the Blacktons, promising to be on hand for the four o'clock breakfast. Joanne followed him to the door and out upon the veranda.
"It's workin' out fine, Johnny!" he exclaimed. "There ain't no need of you goin' any further. We understand each other, and there ain't nothin' for you to do at the corral. Jump off your horse and go back. If I want you I'll come to the Blacktons' 'r send word, and if you want me I'll be at the corral or the camp in the coulee. Jump off, Johnny!" Without further urging Aldous dismounted.
Two hours later, when he went to the coulee, he was like one who had come out of a strange and disturbing and altogether glorious dream. He had told Joanne and the Blacktons that it was necessary for him to be with MacDonald that night.
"And look as though I'd come out of a circus no!" retorted Aldous. "I'm invited to breakfast at the Blacktons', Mac. How the devil am I going to get out of it?" "Tell 'em you're sick," chuckled the old hunter, who saw something funny in the appearance of Aldous' face. "Good Lord, how I'd liked to have seen you come through that window in daylight!" Aldous led off in the direction of the trail.
For perhaps twenty feet they followed the Blacktons with lowered heads. They seemed to have entered a black, cold pit, sloping slightly downward, and only faintly could they see Blackton when he straightened. His voice came strange and sepulchral: "You can stand up now. We're in the chamber. Don't move or you might stumble over something. There ought to be a lantern here."
In the present moment he felt a keen desire to confront Quade face to face out there in the lantern-glow, and settle with the mottled beast once for all. The fact that Quade had seen Joanne as the guest of the Blacktons hardened him in his determination. Quade could no longer be in possible error regarding her.
Even you I owe to him for he saved us from the 'coyote." "I am going, John." "If we went alone we would be able to return very soon." "I am going." "And some of the mountains it is impossible for a woman to climb them!" "Then I will let you carry me up them, John. You are so strong " He groaned hopelessly. "Joanne, won't you stay with the Blacktons, to please me?" "No.
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