“Fifty dollars for you, then,” Quest replied, as they hurried towards the horses, “and an extra ten if we make the train.”
They galloped off into the distance. The cowboys finished their breakfast and went off to their work. Laura stole out from her tent and started off in rather a shame-faced manner for a ride. Presently Lenora opened her eyes. She, too, stretched out her hand for her watch. Suddenly she sat up in bed with a little exclamation. On the table by her side was a small black box. She took off the lid with trembling fingers, drew out a scrap of paper and read:—
“Fools! Tongues of flame will cross Quest’s path. He will never reach the depot alive.”
Lenora glanced at Laura’s empty bed. Then she staggered to the opening of the tent.
“Laura!” she cried.
There was no one there. The cowboys had all gone to their work, Laura had passed out of sight across the ridge in the distance. Lenora staggered to the cook wagon, where the Chinese cook was sitting cleaning plates.
“Listen!” she cried. “They are in danger, the three men who have gone off to the depot! If you’ll ride after them, I will give you a hundred dollars. Give them this,” she added, holding out the scrap of paper.
The Chinaman shook his head. He glanced at the slip of paper indifferently and went on with his work.
“No can ride, missee,” he said.
Lenora looked around helplessly. The camp was empty. She staggered across towards her own horse.