“You’ve heard of the stage holdups? Well, it’s the fellows who have been doing that work. These men here saw them over in that direction this afternoon, and so we’re trying to get round them. I didn’t want to worry you by mentioning it.” This satisfied her for a time, but when, in the course of two or three hours of brisk riding, they passed through a deep cañon pass and came to a hollow in the hills, at a point which she was sure was a long way from her father’s mining claim, and there saw some log huts of poor construction, and the party was challenged by a guard, her fears sprang up. “What does this mean?” she demanded. “We’re going to get a stronger force here,” said Panther Pete, still thinking that lying would serve him best. “We need a large escort.” Again she was silent, and they passed into the valley. Some dogs barked loudly, but were driven back to their kennels; and then she was before one of the huts, and was told to dismount. Panther Pete swung down and helped her from the saddle. “We’ll rest a little while,” he explained. “Then we’ll go on again.” “But we ought to hurry right on, for father may be dying,” she protested. “We’ll need a little rest,” he urged, and he opened the door of the hut and showed her within. She stood in the darkness, inside, hesitating, for she began to feel that something was wrong. Panther Pete followed her into the hut, and then lighted a lamp, which stood on a low table at the opposite side of the room. By its lights she saw that the hut contained but one room. “Just stay here and rest a minute,” he urged, “and I’ll be right back. I’ll have something brought for you to eat, and then in a little while we’ll go on again.” However, when he retreated and closed the door, she distinctly heard the key turned in the lock. “Mr. Cody,” she called after him, still hearing his retreating footsteps. “Mr. Cody!” She shook the door, and then pounded on it with her closed fist, and called again; but he did not answer, and he did not turn back. Bewildered now, and badly frightened, she shook the door again and again, and raised her voice in loud calls. One of the dogs set up a barking outcry, hearing her, but no human being responded. There was no window in the hut, but near the roof were some small holes that let in light and air. She could not climb up to those holes, and it would not have helped her if she could have done so. In despair, she glanced round the room. It contained a rude bed, some chairs, and a table and lamp, and nothing else. The floor was of earth, beaten hard. She sat down to await the return of the man who had locked her in. By and by she heard him coming, and she heard the key turn in the lock when he opened the door. She was on her feet, facing him, as he entered. “I must ask you to explain this--this----” She panted and hesitated for words. He closed the door quickly, and stopped in front of it. “What is it?” he said.