He started the car off at a fast speed and breathed a sigh of relief when no shot followed them. Of the two girls, Mason could see that his sister was the more nervous and he tried to laugh away her fears. As the car gained momentum and they drew away from the danger spot his sister began to get more calm. Josephine was quiet and appeared to be thinking deeply. “Sir Jack,” she asked presently, “do you connect those four men we saw this afternoon with that rifle shot?” “I’ll have to admit that I do,” he answered gravely; “anyway, I am going to report the incident to Bud when we arrive at the ranch.” With increasing speed he shot the car ahead, and they were all relieved when a little later they drove to the ranch house and Mason put the car away. In the morning he reported the matter to Bud. The sheriff grew serious at the news and immediately word was posted at Bar X ranch for the cowboys to keep a sharp watch for Spot Wells and the three strangers. Mason saw very little of the girls for the next few days, his attention being taken up with matters about the ranch. One morning, however, while working with the cowboys at the corral he was surprised to see the girls ride up. They were accompanied by Percy Vanderpool, and Mason stared in amazement when he heard Josephine ask her father for permission to ride to Trader’s Post. But his bewilderment increased when he heard her say that they intended to ride from there on to the Ricker ranch. The ranch owner readily consented as he always had in the past two every wish of this girl of the plains. Bud made a mild protest which was seconded vigorously by Mason. Josephine gave him an icy stare. He ignored her apparent chilliness and offered to go with them if they were so intent for the trip. “Oh no,” she said the words with hauteur as she faced him. “You are too busy! Besides, Mr. Vanderpool is going with us.” Mason looked Percy over in disgust. “You could at least have one of the cowboys go with you,” he said, turning appealingly to Bud. Before Bud could answer, Josephine cut in with a forced laugh. She faced Mason again and he fancied he saw a reckless light in her eyes. “There is no danger”; she spoke the words slowly; “you must remember that two of Bud’s cowboys are in charge of the Ricker ranch.” At the rebuke the hot blood mounted into his cheeks. He felt the sting of her words and lapsed into silence as he watched them ride off. “Josephine is a strange girl, and I cannot understand her,” he mused angrily. “Anyone would think she is sore at me for something. She never treats Bud that way; instead, she favors him all the time and that proves she loves him.” Thus meditating, he passed a part of the morning away. Dinner time came and found him in a wretched state of mind. Later, while idly chatting with the cowboys, a rider was observed coming from the direction of Trader’s Post.