Then, with a start of surprise, he perceived that the intruder was unarmed. Twenty feet away his rifle stood against the wall.
Tobe Gryce was strangely shaken. He experienced a sudden revolt of credulity. This was surely a dream.
"Ain't that thar Luke Todd? Why air ye a-waitin' thar?" he called out in a husky undertone.
Todd glanced up, and took his pipe from his mouth; it was now fairly alight.
"Kase it be Chrismus Eve, Tobe," he said, gravely.
The ranger stared for a moment; then came forward and gave the fodder to the mare, pausing now and then and looking with oblique distrust down upon Luke Todd as he smoked his pipe.
"I want ter tell ye, Tobe, ez some o' the mounting boys air a-sarchin fur ye outside."
"Who air they?" asked the ranger, calmly.
His tone was so natural, his manner so unsuspecting, that a new doubt began to stir in Luke Todd's mind.
"What ails ye ter keep the mare down hyar, Tobe?" he asked, suddenly. "'Pears like ter me ez that be powerful comical."