"Mr. Tomkins!" she cried, an anxious excitement in her face. "Does anybody here know anything about medicine? My--my father has been hurt and----" "Praise be to providence!" orated Piute quickly. "Miss Lee, meet Doc Murray--Doc, meet Miss Lee! I'm sure glad the good name o' Two Palms has been saved this-away--you'll make a livin' here yet, Doc----" "Get in, please!" exclaimed the girl, with a swift gesture to Murray. "You'll have to come with me at once----" "With pleasure, madam." Murray bowed, recovered his battered hat, and climbed into the flivver. The engine roared; the car crawled off, got its second wind, and vanished around the corner of the blacksmith shop on two wheels, Sandy and Bill Hobbs staring blankly after it. CHAPTER IV SANDY INVESTS TWICE The coming and departure of the girl was dramatic enough to leave all of assembled Two Palms transfixed with astonishment, until Piute Tomkins gave vent to his feelings, forgetful that Mrs. Tomkins and Mrs. Smithers were present. The indignation of Mrs. Tomkins at the language of her spouse quite absorbed the attention of Piute pro tem., and in this brief interval Deadoak Stevens got in his thoughtful work. Sandy Mackintavers caught a murmur at his elbow and turned to find Deadoak addressing him in lowered tones. "You're the mining gent, ain't you?" "Aiblins, now," hesitated Sandy, "ye'll not consider----" "Tut, tut!" exclaimed Deadoak, winking. "I understand things, pardner; a friend o' mine over to Meteorite sent me word that two gents were on rout here with a minin' sharp. Now, let me warn you not to give ear to these here desert rats all around, but step over to one side with me. I got a confidential communication----" "Keep it, then," said Sandy brutally, "until we get settled here! Come up to the hotel to-night." "And ye won't talk mines to nobody else first?" "Nary a soul," returned Mackintavers. "Hey, Hobbs! You goin' to come out o' that place?" Bill Hobbs scratched his head and considered his position. "If you guys will drag the corpse out of the way," and he gestured toward the flivver. "I'm goin' to give this joint the once over, Mac. Join you over to the hotel later. Gee! You ought to see this joint, Mac! Where did Doc go to?" Willing hands removed the flivver from the doorway. Deadoak, being rebuffed by Sandy, remained to scrape an acquaintance with Bill Hobbs and elucidate the kidnapping of Murray; while Piute Tomkins, taking in hand his guest, performed the same office to Mackintavers, en route to the hotel. That evening, Deadoak sidled cautiously to Mackintavers's room, knocked, and slid inside as the door opened. "Ah!" he exclaimed, breathing more freely. "Ding my dogs, but I had a stiff time eludin' that pirootin' son of a gun, Piute Tomkins! He suspects somethin'."