His sister entered the room at this moment and he hastily released Josephine’s hand which he had imprisoned. “What is this, a lovers’ quarrel?” she demanded, looking searchingly at Mason. “It is nothing,” Josephine hastily protested, “just merely a little talk between Sir Jack and me. He just told me about Tex’s condition, and what do you think? MacNutt asked Bud to let him lead the men to Ricker’s.” Ethel was surprised at this bit of news and a little later asked her brother to take them to see Tex. “Percy has been asking us all the morning when we would be ready to visit Tex, and I told him we were waiting for you. Now, don’t you consider that an honor?” “Where is Percy?” Josephine asked with a smile of amusement. “Oh, he’s upstairs getting ready to ride a horse that Bud has picked out for him. Why, here he comes now.” Percy came tripping out into the kitchen and at the sight of him Mason laughed heartily, while the girls were fairly bursting with merriment. He wore a tight fitting tailor made suit, the color a brilliant blue. His feet were snugly encased in a pair of shining riding boots, and he wore a pearl handled revolver in a dainty holster strapped to his belt. “For the love of Pete!” Mason gasped in wonder. “Josephine, do you think this freak imagines he is going with us in the raid?” “Hush, the poor fellow will hear you,” she cautioned him while she struggled hard to keep back her mirth. Percy strode pompously towards the girls. He did not seem to think that he was making himself ridiculous in their eyes. “This is as good as any show,” Josephine whispered to Ethel, while they waited for this bold bad man to speak. “I suppose, aw, girls, you are surprised to see me dressed in this fashion,” Percy drawled, grandly tapping the tiny revolver in his belt. “But I am going to help chastise these blooming bounders, aw, Ricker’s roughnecks, I believe.” “That will be fine of you,” Josephine answered, sober as a judge. “I am sure our boys will appreciate your great courage and daring.” Percy drew himself up stiffly at her flattery. “Bud promised to furnish me with a horse,” he continued, “and by Jove, I must be getting out to the corral. One of his men is going to teach me how to ride the brute. I used to be real clever on horseback, don’t you know, but this horse looks real vicious; still, I think I can manage the beast. Well, so long, girls, see you later.” When he was out of hearing, Josephine jumped to her feet. “Now, isn’t that rich?” she demanded, facing Mason. “Just imagine poor Percy wanting to go after Ricker’s gang. Come, Sir Jack, take us to find Bud. I think he is framing up something on Percy with that horse deal, and I don’t want the poor fellow to get his neck broken. Then we will go and see Tex.”