He went without further argument, though first he went to the Hawley Hotel--with Fred close beside him as a precaution against imprudent gossip--and left word in the office that he would not be able to drive Mrs. Fleetwood home, the next morning, but would be back to take her out the day after that, if she did not mind staying in town. It was that message which Arline deliberately held back from Val until morning. “You better stay here,” she advised then. “Polycarp an' Fred's up to some devilment, that's a cinch; but whatever it is, you're better off right here with me. S'posen you should drive out there and run into Man--what then?” Val shivered. “I--that's the only thing I can't bear,” she admitted, as if the time for proud dignity and reserve had gone by. “If I could be sure I wouldn't need to meet him, I'd rather go alone; really and truly, I would. You know the horses are perfectly safe--I've driven them to town fifty times if I have once. I had to, out there alone so much of the time. I'd rather not have Polycarp spying around. I've got to pack up--there are so many things of no value to--to _him_, things I brought out here with me. And there are all my manuscripts; I can't leave them lying around, even if they aren't worth anything; especially since they aren't worth anything.” She pushed back her hair with a weary movement. “If I could only be sure--if I knew where _he_ is,” she sighed. “I'll lend you my gun,” Arline offered in good faith. “If he comes around you and starts any funny business again, you can stand him off, even if you got some delicate feelin's about blowin' his brains out.” “Oh, I couldn't. I'm deadly afraid of guns.” Val shuddered. “Well, then you can't go atone. I'd go with you, if you could git packed up so as to come back to-day. I guess Min could make out to git two meals alone.” “Oh, no. Really and truly, Arline, I'd just as soon go alone. I would rather, dear.” Arline was not accustomed to being called “dear.” She surrendered with some confusion and a blush. “Well, you better wait,” she admonished temporizingly. “Something may turn up.” Presently something did turn up. She rushed breathlessly into Val's room and caught her by the arm. “Now's your chancet, Val,” she hissed in a loud whisper. “Man jest now rode into town; he's over in Pop's place--I seen him go in. He's good for the day, sure. I'll have Hank hitch right up, an' you can go down to the stable and start from there, so'st he won't see you. An' I'll keep an eye out, 'n' if he leaves town I won't be fur behind, lemme tell you. He won't, though; there ain't one chancet in a hundred he'll leave that saloon till he's full--an' if he tries t' go then, I'll have somebody lock 'im up in the ice house till you git back. You want to hurry up that packin', an' git in here quick's you can.” She went to the stable with Val, her apron thrown over her head for want of a hat. “When Val was settling herself in the seat, Arline caught at the wheel.