"Not those same men?" Mary Gage's face showed terror.
"I don't know yet. Two cars was in camp on the creek, half way up towards the Reserve. I seen 'em and sneaked back."
"Telephone down, why don't you?"
"I hadn't thought of that," said Sim. "I ain't used to them things. Say, Miss Squires, supposin' you see if you can get the doctor down at the dam?"
But when Annie tried to use the telephone her ring sounded idle and vacant in the box. The instrument was dead.
"Out of order!" said Annie, "right when you want it. When you want to make a date the girls says, 'Party's line's out of order.' Of course it is!"
"Well, then I'll have to start down right away. I got to see the Doc about this. I hate to leave you alone."
"Let him go," said Annie to Mary Gage. "The soldiers 'll be back for supper pretty soon."
"I've got to go over to Wid's," said Sim; "got to get another horse."
He turned and left the room without more word of parting than he had shown of greeting. He walked more alertly than ever he had in his life.