For she had watched from a window the coming of the T Down men; she had noted the conference between Harlan and Linton; and she had seen Harlan waving a hand at the red-haired man, seemingly in farewell. She stood now, afflicted with a strange regret, suddenly aware that she would feel the absence of the man who sat on his horse before her--for she divined that he was going. "I'm sayin' so-long to you, ma'am," smiled Harlan. "Oh!" she said, aware of the flatness of her tone. "Are you going away?" "I'm figurin' to go. I ain't used to hangin' around one place very long. But I'm comin' back some day. Red Linton an' the boys will be seein' that things go smooth with you. You can depend on Red, and all the boys. They're Simon-pure, dyed-in-the-wool, eighteen-carat men." And now he grinned, gravely. "Remember this, Barbara: A man will do things when he's handlin' a gold chain--things that he wouldn't do if there didn't happen to be any chain." He doffed his hat and slapped Purgatory sharply, heading the animal westward, toward the yawning mouth of the big basin that stretched its mighty length into the mystery of distance. But his words left her with a conviction that she had again misjudged him, and that when he had appeared to fawn on Haydon he had been merely acting, merely pretending. She watched him, regretfully, longingly, assailed by emotions that she could not understand--until he and Purgatory grew small in the gulf of distance; until horse and rider were swallowed in the glowing haze. CHAPTER XIX HARLAN JOINS THE GANG At the edge of the big level, where it merged into the floor of the basin, Harlan drew Purgatory to a halt. For an instant he sat in the saddle scrutinizing a section of buffalo grass that fringed a clump of willows near the almost dry bed of the river that doubled slightly as it came from the basin. Something in the appearance of the grass had attracted his attention--it was matted, as though something had lain or rolled in it. He rode closer, cautiously, for the little trees formed a covert behind which any one of several dangers might lie concealed--and looked down at the grass. As he examined the place his lips twisted into a grim smile, and his eyes grew bright with comprehension. He rode around the clump of trees, making sure it was not occupied; then he dismounted. Someone had been concealed in the covert for many days--a man. For he saw the imprints of heels, and indentations where spurs had gashed the earth. The marks were all fresh--recently made. While he watched he saw some blades of the long grass slowly rise--as though, relieved from some pressure that had been upon them, they were eager to regain an upright position. He also saw scraps of food--jerked beef and biscuit--scattered here and there.