The doors opened and two young men entered. “Oh, brother! brother!” Virginia exclaimed, rushing toward the outstretched arms of Malcolm. “Please don’t rebuke us for coming, for we have news that we thought, or at least I thought, might be of great importance.” Then she inquired anxiously, “You have not heard from Tom?” “No,” he replied, and his tone implied that they had all but lost hope of hearing. Then he led his sister to the rocker, saying tenderly, “You are trembling like a leaf, Virginia. You are over tired and excited, but I understand.” Then he returned to welcome Margaret, who in turn introduced Babs. “It’s hard to remember formalities just now,” he said. “You girls have become acquainted with Mrs. Wilson. Now permit me to introduce her older son, Harry.” Then turning to Virginia he inquired: “Did you say, sister, that you have a message?” Virginia hurriedly told the story of the captured carrier pigeon and she knew by the eyes of her listeners that they were all keenly interested. “May I see that bit of brown paper?” Harry asked as he held out his hand. “I will be able to read it.” Virginia gave him the small paper and then they all waited, scarcely breathing in their eagerness. The ticking of the big clock on the wall was the only sound that broke the stillness. Suddenly Harry leaped to his feet, his face tense, “Malcolm,” he cried, “there isn’t a minute to lose! Quick! Call the herders, we’ll need all the help we can get.” Then, not realizing that he had not told the message to the girls, he left the house, and raced toward the bunkhouse, shouting to Lopez. In half an hour many things had been hurriedly done. Malcolm, who had raced after Harry, returned as he had promised Virginia that he would to tell the girls the meaning of the message. It was. “The sheep are south of Agua Prieta. Get them at once. Drive to Rebano Rancho. Do away with herders.” “Brother! Brother!” Virginia sobbed. “Are we too late? Have they done away with the herders? Oh, tell me, what do you think?” “Harry and I believe that whoever is to get the sheep is still waiting for the carrier pigeon and if so Tom may as yet be unharmed. Our hope is, since the message has not been delivered, that we may reach Agua Prieta before the rustlers receive an order from some other source. If we do, we may be able to regain the sheep and save our friend Tom.” Then he added, “I know you girls are terribly tired but I think that you would better return with us as our way to Agua Prieta leads so close to V. M. What do you think, Virginia?” But Mrs. Wilson would not hear of it. “Do let the poor dears rest,” she said. “They look as pale as lilies and wilted ones at that. I’m expecting my younger son, Benjy, to return home tomorrow and on the day after he will gladly escort the girls to V. M.”