"
One of them rose slowly to his feet.
"Waal," he observed, "fifty dollars would come in kind of handy. Yes, I
reckon I can cut off a mile or two for you."
"Fifty dollars for you, then," Quest replied, as they hurried towards the
horses, "and an extra ten if we make the train."
They galloped off into the distance. The cowboys finished their breakfast
and went off to their work. Laura stole out from her tent and started off
in rather a shame-faced manner for a ride. Presently Lenora opened her
eyes. She, too, stretched out her hand for her watch. Suddenly she sat up
in bed with a little exclamation. On the table by her side was a small
black box. She took off the lid with trembling fingers, drew out a scrap
of paper and read:--
"Fools! Tongues of flame will cross Quest's path. He will never
reach the depot alive."
Lenora glanced at Laura's empty bed. Then she staggered to the opening of
the tent.
"Laura!" she cried.
There was no one there. The cowboys had all gone to their work, Laura had
passed out of sight across the ridge in the distance. Lenora staggered to
the cook wagon, where the Chinese cook was sitting cleaning plates.
"Listen!" she cried. "They are in danger, the three men who have gone off
to the depot! If you'll ride after them, I will give you a hundred
dollars. Give them this," she added, holding out the scrap of paper.
The Chinaman shook his head. He glanced at the slip of paper indifferently
and went on with his work.
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