"Certainly not. But no rough work in front of the cowboys, understand? Sh-h!" Skinner vaulted lightly through the window, landing in the dirt outside without a sound. "Somebody coming," he whispered. "Understand Merchants' Hotel, Albuquerque, noon, Sunday." And the next instant he had vanished into the dusk, leaving behind him a youth half hysterical with hope. Out of the blackest gloom had come J. Wallingford Speed's deliverance, and he did not pause to consider the ethics involved. If he had he would have told himself that by Skinner's own confession the Centipede had won through fraud at the first race; if they were paid back in their own coin now it would be no more than tardy justice. With light heart he hastened to replace the borrowed revolver in the bunk-room just as voices coming nearer betokened the arrival of his friends from the house. As he stepped out into the night he came upon Jack Chapin. "Hello, Wally!" "Hello, Jack!" They shook hands, while the owner of the Flying Heart continued. "I've just got in, and they've been telling me about this foot- race. What in the deuce is the matter with you, anyhow? Why didn't you let me know?" The girls drew closer, and Speed saw that Miss Blake was pale. "I wouldn't have allowed it for a minute. Now, of course, I'm going to call it off." "Oh, Jack, dear, you simply can't!" exclaimed his sister. "You've no idea the state the boys are in." "They'll never let you, Chapin," supplemented Fresno. The master laughed shortly. "They won't, eh? Who is boss here, I'd like to know?" "They've bet a lot of money. And you know how they feel about that phonograph." "It's the most idiotic thing I ever heard of. Whatever possessed you, Wally? If the men make a row, I'll have to smuggle you and Glass over to the railroad to-night." "I'm for that," came the voice of Larry. "I suppose it's all my fault," Miss Blake began wretchedly, whereat the object of their general solicitude took on an aspect of valor. "Say, what is all this fuss about? I don't want to be smuggled anywhere, thank you!" "I may not be able to square my men," Chapin reiterated. "It may have gone too far." "Square! Square! Why should you do any squaring? I'm not going to run-away." Miss Blake clasped her hands and breathed a sigh. "I've got to stay here and run a foot-race to-morrow." "Don't be a fool, Wally!" Covington added his voice to the others. Speed whirled angrily. "I don't need your advice--convict!" The champion hobbled hastily out of range. "I know what I'm doing. I'm going to run to-morrow, and I stand a good chance to win." Mr. Fresno, if he had been a girl, would have been said to have giggled. "All right, _Dearie_! I'll bet you five hundred dollars--" as there emerged from the darkness, whence they had approached unseen, Stover, and behind him the other men. "Evenin'! What's all the excitement?" greeted the leader, softly. The master of the ranch stepped forward.