"No thanks, Kid," spoke up Dick quickly. His glance told the Kid that he realized what the half-spoken offer meant. In the west one man understands his friend more by feeling than by words. "Real good of you to offer, though. No, I guess we'll make out all right. Can't have easy riding all the time. I imagine Mr. Merkel has something for us to do. He sent for us to come over to his ranch. So here we are. That was the job I told you about." "A blind job, hey? Well, I guess it's O. K. or the boss wouldn't be mixed up in it. Anyway, here's your chance to find out. Here comes Mr. Merkel now." A tall, pleasant-faced man, hair slightly grayed at the temples, strode out of the ranchhouse toward the four waiting cowboys. His resemblance to Bud--especially around the eyes--was easily noticeable. "Hello, Nort and Dick! How are you, son? Say, boy, you're getting hard as a rock! What have you men been feeding Bud--leather? He sure looks, as though it was coming through!" The kindly eyes of the older man lighted with pride as he grasped the hand of his son. "No, Dad--I guess hard luck toughened me up," said Bud, but his smile belied the meaning of his words. "Yes, I heard about your accident, boys--and that's partly why I sent for you. I thought you might have time to do a little business for me." "Well, I guess I'll step along, Mr. Merkel," the Kid said, as he realized he might be intruding on a private conversation. "I got that fence fixed up all right." "Did you? Good! No, Kid, you stay right here. You're in on this too. Where's Billee Dobb? I want him to hear what I have to say." "He's 'round back, boss. I'll get him." "Bring him in the house, Kid. My room. Come on, boys--we'll get settled inside and wait for the Kid and Billee." As the boys followed Mr. Merkel each one wondered what it was all about. Dick voiced the thought of all as he whispered: "Say, what's up? You know, Bud?" "Nope! I'm as much in the dark as you are. Dad never said anything to me. We'll soon know, though." By this time they had reached the ranchhouse. As soon as the Kid arrived with Old Billee Dobb--a grizzled product of ranching who had been with the Diamond X from its start--Mr. Merkel motioned them to be seated and began: