"Can I buy some flour and groceries?" he asked.
"You might," said the other and looked at Deering as if he thought the inquiry strange. "Why do you want groceries? Where are you going?"
Deering saw something must be risked and when a risk must be run he did not hesitate.
"If I can find the trail, I'm going up the valley. Peter Jardine has a ranch at the lake, I think?"
"That's so," said the other. "I'm Peter Jardine!"
Deering laughed. His luck had not turned and when the reflections from the blast-lamp touched the rancher's face he thought he had got the proper man.
"Then, as soon as you can get me some groceries, I'll start for the rocks. Your uncle sent me along and stated you would help. You see, I'm Jimmy Leyland's partner and Miss Margaret's friend."
"Ah," said Peter, "you're Deering? Well, the police are after Jimmy. For some days two troopers hunted for his tracks and then a sergeant and another came in on the train and started off as if they knew where he was. In the meantime, a sports outfit hit the trail, but I didn't meet up with them. I made the station in the afternoon and didn't know what I ought to do. In fact, when you came along, I was wondering if I'd pull out for the ranch."
"You're coming with me. I don't want to boast, but I'm a mountain clubman and on the rocks I reckon I can beat the police."
"But Jimmy's friends got off in front of the troopers."