The prospect of becoming involved with the nester gave Langford a throb of joy. All his life he had been engaged in the task of overcoming business obstacles and he had reached the conclusion that the situation which now confronted him was nothing more or less than business. Of course it was not the business to which he had been accustomed, but it offered the opportunity for cold-blooded, merciless planning for personal gain; there were the elements of profit and loss; it would give him an opportunity to apply his peculiar genius, to grapple, to battle, and finally overthrow the opposing force. Though he had allowed Duncan to see nothing of the emotions that rioted within him over the discovery that he had been victimized by the latter--at least to the extent of misrepresentation in the matter of the nester--there was in his mind a feeling of deep resentment against the former owner; he felt that he could no longer trust him, but for the sake of learning all the details of the new business he felt that he would have to make the best of a bad bargain. He had already arranged with Duncan to remain at the Double R throughout the season, but he purposed to leave him out of any dealings that he might have with Doubler. He smiled as he looked at Duncan. "I like this country," he said, leaning back in his chair and drawing a deep breath. "I was rather afraid at first that I would find it dull after the East. But this situation gives promise of action." Duncan was watching him with a crafty smile. "You reckon on running him off, or----" He leered at Langford significantly. The latter's face was impassive, his smile dry. "Eh?" he said, abstractedly, as though his thoughts had been wandering from the subject. "Why, I really haven't given a thought to the method by which I ought to deal with Doubler. Perhaps," he added with a genial smile, "I may make a friend of him." He observed Duncan's scowl and his smile grew. CHAPTER VII BOGGED DOWN Each day during the two weeks that her father had been at the Double R Sheila had accompanied him on his rides of exploration. She had grown tired of the continued companionship, and despite the novelty of the sight she had become decidedly wearied of looking at the cowboys in their native haunts. Not that they did not appeal to her, for on the contrary she had found them picturesque and had admired their manliness, but she longed to ride out alone where she could brood over her secret. The possession of it had taken the flavor out of the joys of this new life, had left it flat and filled with bitter memories. She had detected a change in her father--he seemed coarse, domineering, entirely unlike his usual self. She attributed this change in him to the country--it was hard and rough, and of course it was to be expected that Langford--or any man, for that matter--taking an active interest in ranch life, must reflect the spirit of the country.