There was something in
their faces which made them strangely alike. A marvellous grace and
dignity came to Mrs. Daniels as she rose.
"My dear!" she said.
"I'm so happy!" whispered Kate.
"Yes, dear! And Dan?"
"He's sleeping like a child! Will you look at him? I think the fever's
gone!"
They went hand in hand--like two girls, and they leaned above the bed
where Whistling Dan lay smiling as he slept. On the floor Black Bart
growled faintly, opened one eye on them, and then relapsed into
slumber. There was no longer anything to guard against in that house.
* * * * *
It was several days later that Hal Purvis, returning from his scouting
expedition, met no less a person that Sheriff Gus Morris at the mouth
of the canyon leading to the old Salton place.
"Lucky I met you, Hal," said the genial sheriff. "I've saved you from
a wild-goose chase."
"How's that?"
"Silent has jest moved."
"Where?"
"He's taken the trail up the canyon an' cut across over the hills to
that old shanty on Bald-eagle Creek. It stands--"
"I know where it is," said Purvis. "Why'd he move?"
"Things was gettin' too hot. I rode over to tell him that the boys was
talkin' of huntin' up the canyon to see if they could get any clue of
him.
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