"That little note that you left for Less is what done the business," Sandy went on cheerfully reviewing the situation. "The sheriff had forgot that note 'til we got up here and the bird wa'n't t' be found in the hand ner the bush neither. That was a neat little trick, Doc, almost as neat as the way ye come it over the sheriff on the trail to Cody. Guess he'll not fergit ye fer a spell! Mart, don't be s' stingy with that weed. Hand over some. My pipe is about as empty as the sheriff's head." "Why did you do it, Sandy?" Ross burst out. "What made you send word to Leslie's father that he was here?" Sandy composedly filled his pipe and lighted it. "It was cruelty t' little children not t', Doc. The very idee of Leslie Jones leavin' his pa and----" "His name isn't Jones, and you know it, and I know it!" interrupted Ross. He could not keep the ring of triumph from his tone. "He is Leslie Quinn." Sandy's hand traveled slowly to his pipe. "Is he? How'd you find out?" he asked quickly. "Easily enough," said Ross carelessly, "when you know how." Both Waymart and Sandy regarded the boy intently. "Been back here then, has he?" they asked in one breath. Ross arose. "'It would be cruelty to little children' to tell you!" he quoted boldly and opened the door. Waymart gave an exclamation and sprang to his feet. His hands were clenched. But Sandy, kicking him under the table, guffawed. "Give and take, Mart," he exclaimed. "I'm willin' t' chew my own words, and if I am willin' there ain't no kick comin' from you!" The following day Ross wrote another letter to Leslie's father and enclosed the note he had found pinned in his pocket. This letter he entrusted to Wilson to mail in Cody, for Wilson was going to Butte for a few weeks before beginning his winter's work on his coal claims. He stopped at noon to bid Weimer and Ross good-bye. "Nothin' would hire me t' stay over here all winter," were his last words to Ross. Although the latter had seen but little of the prospector, his departure made the valley seem lonelier than ever, and caused Ross to cling desperately to the idea of the McKenzies remaining. As the days passed, and more snow fell, the brothers began to get decidedly uneasy. They accounted for their uneasiness to Ross by telling him they were in need of supplies and saw no way of getting any over from Miners' Camp. Sandy was the informant, as usual, while Waymart's eyebrows were lifted in momentary surprise. By that time every horse in Miners' Camp had been sent "below." There was but little grass on the mountains during the brief summer; and through the winter, which occupied nine months of the year, every ounce of fodder must be packed over the difficult road from the ranches. "I don't see," quoth Sandy unconvincingly, "but what we'll have to strike the trail. Hain't no way, as I can see, to pack grub over except on our backs, and that's too slow."