"Look, you--" "No say 'look, you' at me!" LaMott growled. "I didn't mean it, Tom. I'm sorry. Now, we heard Simpson say he was going to record in the afternoon and bring his wife up the next day. We both know that he won't be able to record before ten days or two weeks, and he sent the kids back. Why, it's like stealing milk from a baby!" "You sure she no weetch girl?" "I'm sure. Now, we've sent Bum to grab her and bring her here, and Bum may have her by this time. You and Bum keep her here. Tomorrow I'll ride into Plains City and manage to let Simpson and Brent know that, unless they turn their claims over to us, they'll never see the girl again. It's as simple as that." [Illustration: _"Unless they turn their claims over to us, they'll never see the girl again."_] "Why no get boy, too?" "We don't need 'em both, and I'm sure Bum will know how to handle that kid if he gets fresh." "S'pose Bum bring wrong girl?" "He won't. He had a good enough look at her in Plains City so he'll know her again." Cindy and Alec slipped back to their tethered ponies. Alec was pale and shaken. "Gosh, sis!" he breathed. "Am I ever glad we left! They intend to kidnap you!" "We must let Dad and Mr. Brent know right away!" Cindy whispered. "Let's ride past the claim just to make sure everything's all right before we go into Plains City." "Suppose we meet this 'Bum'?" Alec objected. "We'll run away from him. He won't have any horse able to catch Sparkle and Sunshine." The sun went down and the moon rose, big, round, and shiny. The children rode in the moonlight, keeping their ponies at a walk or trot. When and if they met Bum, they'd have to ride fast enough. When they reached the homestead, the mules, Pete's pony, and Pete's big horses raised their heads to look. But so did two other mules and two ponies that hadn't been there before. There was a second wagon and the house's window was aglow. Cindy and Alec looked questioningly at each other. Then, leaving their ponies rein-haltered, they bounded down the steps into the house. "Mother!" CHAPTER FOURTEEN _Spirits Walk_ Mrs. Simpson and Granny Brent sat side by side on chairs that they must have brought with them. Both looked pale, but the children's mother smiled and held out her arms. "Hello, children!" Cindy and Alec rushed forward, and hugged and were hugged, and kissed and were kissed by their mother. Cindy asked anxiously, "Where's Mindy?" "I wish I knew," and Cindy and Alec discovered why their mother and Granny Brent were pale. "She's lost. She went for a walk two hours ago, shortly after we arrived, and she simply hasn't returned." Cindy and Alec looked at each other. But, though both had the same thoughts, to voice them would really worry their mother. Granny tried to be very calm.