Wilfred put down his head. "Is this close enough?" he whispered, feeling exalted. Men, women and children circled about them; the air vibrated with the shock of trunks and mail bags hurled upon the platform. "No," said Lahoma, rising on tiptoe. Wilfred took off his hat and got under hers. She whispered in his ear, "Red Kimball came on this train--there he is--he hasn't seen me, yet--was in another coach." "Well? Go on talking. Lahoma--I'd get closer if I could." "S-H-H! He knows me, for he was a porter in our hotel. When he sees us he'll know I've come home to warn Brick. S-H-H! Then he'll try to keep me from doing it. Look--some of his gang are speaking to him--they've been waiting here to meet him--they'll go with him, I expect. We'll all be in the stage-coach together!" "What do you want me to do to 'em, Lahoma?" "I want you to pretend that you don't know me--and they mustn't find out your name is Compton, or they'll think Mr. Edgerton got word to you to join me here. Be a stranger till we're safe in the cove." "All right. Good-by--but suppose I hadn't come?" "Oh, I could have done without you," said Lahoma. "Or I think I could." "You could never have done without me!" Wilfred declared decidedly. "I can right NOW--" She drew away. "I'll get into the stage; don't follow too soon." There were three stage-coaches drawn up at a short distance from the platform, and Lahoma went swiftly to the one bound for her part of the country. She was the first to enter; she was seated quietly in a corner when the two long seats that faced each other began filling up. The last to come were four men: one, tall, slender, red-faced and red-haired, two others of dark and lowering faces, who looked upon the former as their leader, and the last, Wilfred Compton, who had unobtrusively joined himself to this remnant of Red Kimball's gang. The stage, which was built after the manner of the old-fashioned omnibus, afforded no opportunity of moving to and fro in the selection of seats, hence, when Red Kimball discovered Lahoma's identity--the exact moment of the discovery was marked by his violent start--she was safeguarded from his approach by her proximity to a very large woman flanked by a thin spinster. These were two sisters, going to the evening's station where the coach would stop for supper, and Lahoma discussed with them their plans and hopes with bright cheerfulness and ready friendship. Wilfred watched Red Kimball as he glared in that direction, and guessed his thoughts. Although Kimball knew Lahoma, he was not sure that she knew him; and though he was convinced at once that she was on a mission of warning, that might be true without her knowing that he had left Kansas City. Red Kimball was burning to find out if he were a stranger to her, but at the same time fearful of disclosing himself. He muttered to his companions hoarsely, careful that Wilfred, whom he regarded askance, should overhear nothing that he said.