She was sure that Percy’s father would pay a large sum of money to secure his son’s release, and no doubt there would be a large amount of money demanded from her father and Ethel’s. The talking had ceased and she failed to learn more. The chances were that Ricker would tell them in plain terms what he expected their fathers to do when they reached their mountain retreat. She was hoping the ride would end soon as her body ached and she knew that Ethel and Percy must be suffering too. She was glad when finally an order was given by Ricker to dismount and the blindfold was removed from their eyes. Next, their hands were untied, and Josephine went over and put her arms around Ethel. “Forgive me, dear, I am sorry I got you into this trouble,” Josephine said with a heavy heart. “You are no more to blame than I am,” Ethel protested stoutly. “I was just as anxious to see the secret passage as you were, and my brother will make it hot for these cut-throats if they dare to harm us.” Josephine’s eyes glistened. “I know he will, dear, and I am sure he will rescue us. He rescued me from the Mexican once before when I was in just as bad a position as now. “Did you hear what the outlaws were saying as we came up the trail? I think they will try to hold us for a ransom.” Ethel started to reply, when Ricker pushed up to them with a leering smile. “Some birds I have caught in my cage to-day,” he said with a coarse laugh. “Your quarters are right over there by that flat table rock. There is a shanty there which I will have the men fix up comfortable for you, and you won’t be harmed if you don’t try to escape. And I wouldn’t advise you to try it, either,” he added with an oath. “In due time your folks will be presented with my terms for your release, and if they don’t come across with the money it will go hard with you girls. My men will have quarters just inside this semicircle here.” He waved his hand towards a natural barrier of rock. “One of my men will have you under watch night and day, and the rest will see that none of your friends come too close for their health. If they try it they are dead men. I can hold off a small army from this retreat, and I don’t intend to leave here until I gain my ends, which is money, and plenty of it too.” He stopped and looked hard at the girls. “Josephine, when the proper time comes, you are going to write a letter for me,” he said threateningly. Josephine faced him with flashing eyes. “I’ll write no letters for you, you swine,” she said defiantly, “and when Mason comes he will kill you.” “Not so fast, my little spitfire,” he purred, “but I am telling you straight. If you value Mason’s life, or any lives at the Bar X ranch, you will write this letter which I will dictate to you. If any of your friends come within two hundred yards of this place it will be sure death to them. Just look around and see for yourself how foolish it would be for any one to try to rescue you.”