So Frances said nothing more to the old ranchman, and nothing at all to Pratt about that which troubled her. They spoke of inconsequential things on the veranda, where Ming served cool drinks; and then the Amarillo young man rode away. "Sue Latrop and that crowd will be out to-morrow, I expect," he said, as he departed. "Don't know when I can get over again, Frances. I'll have to beau them around a bit." "Good-bye, Pratt," said Frances, without comment. "By the way," called Pratt, from his saddle and holding in his pony, "your father being so ill isn't going to make you give up your part in the pageant, Frances?" "Plenty of time for that," she returned, but without smiling. "I hope father will be well before the date set for the show." Pratt's departure left Frances with a sinking heart; but she did not betray her feelings. To be all alone with her father and the two Chinamen at the ranch-house seemed hard indeed; and with the responsibility of the treasure chest on her heart, too! Her father, it was true, had insisted on having his couch placed at night in the room with the Spanish chest. He seemed to consider that, ill as he was, he could guard the treasure better than anybody else. Frances had to devise a plan without either her father's advice or that of anybody else. She prepared for the adventure by begging the Captain to have burlap wrapped about the chest and securely roped on. "Then it won't be so noticeable," she told him, "when people come in to call on you." For some of the other cattlemen of the Panhandle rode many miles to call at the Bar-T Ranch; and, of course, they insisted upon seeing Captain Rugley. Ming and San Soo (the latter was very tall and enormously strong for a coolie) corded the Spanish chest as directed, and under the Captain's eye. Then Frances threw a Navajo blanket over it and it looked like a couch or divan. To Silent Sam she said; "I want a four-mule wagon to go to Amarillo for supplies. When can I have it?" "Can't you have the goods come by rail to Jackleg?" asked the foreman, somewhat surprised by the request. Now, Jackleg was not on the same railroad as Amarillo. Frances shook her head. "I'm sorry, Sam. There's something particular I must get at Amarillo." "You going with the wagon, Miss Frances?" "Yes. I want a good man to drive--Bender, or Mack Hinkman. None of the Mexicans will do. We'll stop at Peckham's Ranch and at the hotel in Calas on the way." "Whatever ye say," said Sam. "When do ye want to go?" "Day after to-morrow," responded Frances, briskly. "It will be all right then?" "Sure," agreed Silent Sam. "I'll fix ye up." Frances had several important things to do before the time stated. And, too, before that time, something quite unexpected happened. CHAPTER XII MOLLY