Less than fifty feet away was the corner of the main building of the ranch. Peering out cautiously, to make sure that no one was watching them, the two chums hurried across the open space and crouched down beneath a wide-open window. Then Dave, pistol in hand, looked in through the opening.
The room beyond was deserted, and a glance around showed him that it contained little besides some heavy pieces of furniture which the looters had evidently been unable to remove. On a table rested several empty liquor bottles, and also a number of cigar and cigarette stubs. On the floor were scattered newspapers and some playing cards.
“The fellows who were here evidently got out in a hurry,” remarked Dave.
“Are you going to go in?” questioned Roger.
“I guess so. What do you think about it?”
“I’m with you, Dave. Now we have gone so far, we might as well finish the job.”
It was an easy matter for the two chums to climb through the low window. Once in the room, they advanced toward a doorway leading to an apartment that opened on the patio of the ranch home––an open courtyard which had once boasted of a well-kept flower garden, but which was now neglected and overrun with weeds.
As Dave gazed out across the patio he saw a movement in a room on the opposite side of the ranch home. The face of a man had appeared for a few seconds. Behind him was some one else––who, however, Dave could not make out.
“My gracious, Roger!” gasped our hero in a low voice. “Did you see that fellow?”