She handed the field glasses to Ethel and disappeared in the house. Tex soon afterward rode up and reported that Scotty would arrive in about an hour. Ethel carried the news to Josephine while Mason went to the corral with Tex to look at a vicious horse the latter was breaking. The time passed rapidly and when Mason started for the house to join the girls, Scotty was driving in with his passengers. Half an hour later it was a jolly party that sat down at the dinner table to do justice to Pomp’s masterful cooking. After the meal the party sat on the porch until dusk, while Josephine entertained her guests with the thrilling story of her capture and escape from the bandits. As it had been a hard day for all, the party was preparing to break up for the night, when Josephine’s sharp ears caught the sound of horses’ hoofbeats coming toward the house. “Wonder who it can be,” she queried, trying to peer into the gloom. “All our cowboys are in the bunk-house by this time.” A moment later a figure appeared from out of the night and rode slowly toward them. “Why, it’s Waneda the Spanish girl,” Mason cried in astonishment. “What brings you here at this time of night?” Josephine asked of her distrustfully. Waneda timidly placed a note in her hand. “I was sent here and the note is for Mr. Mason,” she answered simply, in her rich mellow voice. “What! another decoy note?” Josephine queried suspiciously, handing the note to Mason. He took the note inside to the light, and after reading its contents his face showed perplexity. “It is signed by MacNutt and he wants me to use my influence to have you agree to let Waneda stay here at the ranch. He says it is important that the girl should stay here for a few weeks, and he will vouch for her honesty. I think myself, it will be all right, but you can use your own judgment,” Mason explained, addressing Josephine. “It is all very queer, but I want to do what is right,” she answered, smiling a little anxiously at Mason. “Certainly, Waneda can stay here, and we will hear her story in the morning.” CHAPTER XI RICKER’S WARNING