"Can you drive all night?"
"I can."
"Good! We must be there as early to-morrow as possible."
And ten minutes before noon the next day the heavy-eyed driver threw out his clutch and slowed the car to a stop before the S Bar S ranch house. Saddled horses were there, a score of them standing with bridle reins down. Sounds of lifted voices came from the house, quickly lulled as an exclamation turned attention on the arrival.
From the ample door came a figure—tall and lean, well poised, shoulders square, feet firm on the ground. Pale, true, but surely returning strength was evidenced in his very bearing. VB's lips moved. His father, halfway to him, stopped.
"Dad!"
"Am I on time?" queried the older man.
"Dad!"
With a cry the boy was up on him, grasping both hands in his.
"I didn't—dare hope you'd want—Dad, it makes me so—"