"But I don't see them anywhere around here!" he exclaimed, looking to the right and to the left, where the punchers were standing in groups watching the barn and its contents go up in flames, for no puny human efforts could now stay the march of destruction. Lanky was beckoning, and Frank saw that it was Charlie Gin Sing who started toward them. The Chinaman had apparently managed to get over the worst of his emotion at seeing such a sight for the first time in his life; he looked more like his grinning self, Frank noticed, as he trotted up to where the three boys were standing. "Charlie," said Lanky, taking hold of the cook's thin arm, "tell Frank here what you say you saw. He's been afraid the ladies were caught in the fire. That was what made him rush in there at the risk of his life." "Me see Missy Wally--young lady come out side door--yep, long time back till I smell smoke and see barn he ketch fire." That was lucid, and positive enough to convince Frank that his fears had after all been groundless. Charlie Gin Sing could be depended on to tell a straight story. "Where were you when you saw them come out?" asked Frank. "Me standee kitchen door--get lungs full air--wave hand at Missy Wally--she like Charlie his cooking--wave hand back--finest lady in all land, Missy Wally." "Which way did they go after coming out of the barn?" continued Frank, bent on getting at the full facts, for if those who were missing had returned to the ranch house, it was strange they had not appeared on the scene, with all that racket going on. "Walk away--hab lit basket 'long--come from China--ginger like all Chinese eat." "Show me the direction they were heading when last you saw them, Charlie. It's queer they haven't shown up by now, no matter where they went." "That's straight goods, Frank," interrupted Lanky, his forehead wrinkled with anxiety. "Think Missy Wally she go them woods--me tell her wild flowers grow there where cattle drink at spring! Look! What tell you? Here come runnin', you savvy, like in big hurry!" Lanky gave a whoop. "He's right, Frank--Paul! There they come, and running, too. Oh! I'm so glad I could yell my head off. All this while they've been there in that patch of trees they say Josh Kinney planted fifty years ago." Frank was about as much relieved as his chum; but, just the same, he noticed something that apparently Lanky had missed. "Your mother acts as though exhausted, Lanky," he said. "See how Minnie tries to buoy her up. Was it because of their fears the ranch house was burning up and some lives in danger, or did something else happen to frighten them?" Mr. Wallace was already hastening toward the approaching pair, and the three boys started on the run, Paul hobbling bravely along, although his ankle gave him frequent stabs of pain.