Dale knew the man to whom he had written, and he had received a reply, telling him that the job would be done. And that was why, when Sanderson had calmly announced that he was Will Bransford, Dale had been unwilling to believe his statement. Dale did not believe, now, that the man who had interfered to save Nyland was Will Bransford. Dale rode slowly homeward, scowling, inwardly fuming with rage, but unable to form any decided plan of action. It was several miles to the Bar D, Dale's ranch, and when he arrived there he was in an ugly mood. He curtly dismissed the two men who had accompanied him and went into the house. Opening the door of the room he used as an office, he saw a medium-sized man of fifty sitting in a big desk chair, smoking a cigar. The man smiled at Dale's surprise, but did not offer to get up, merely extending his right hand, which Dale grasped and shook heartily. "Dave Silverthorn, or I'm a ghost!" ejaculated Dale, grinning. "How in thunder did you get here?" "Rode," smiled the other, showing a set of white, flashing teeth. "I saw you pass the window. You looked rather glum, and couldn't see my horse, I suppose. Something gone wrong?" "Everything," grunted Dale; "that confounded young Bransford has showed up!" The smile left the other's face. His eyes glowed and the corners of his mouth took on a cruel droop. "He has, eh?" he said, slowly. His voice was expressionless. "So that lead has petered out." He puffed slowly at his cigar, studying Dale's face, while the latter related what had occurred. "So Nyland is still at large, eh?" he remarked, when Dale had finished. "Why not set a gunman on him?" Dale scowled. "There ain't a gunman in this section that would take a chance on Nyland--he's lightning!" Dale cursed. "Besides, there ain't no use in goin' after Nyland's place unless we can get the Double A." "Then there wasn't any use of going after it yesterday, or today, as you did," said the other. "Unless," he added, looking intently at Dale, "the sister has been on your mind some." Dale reddened. "I don't mind admittin' she is," he grinned. "Look out, Dale," warned the other; "there's danger there. Many a big project has been ruined by men dragging a woman into it. You have no right to jeopardize this thing with a love affair. Peggy Nyland is desirable to a man of your intense passion, I suppose; but this project is bigger than any woman's love!" "Bah!" sneered Dale. "I can 'tend to her without losin' sight of the main object." "All right, then," laughed the other. "The success of this thing depends largely on you. We can't do a thing with the Legislature; these sagebrush fools are adamant on the question of water-rights, They won't restrict an owner's right and title to possession of all the water on his land.