Then, with the woman in the car with them, had followed a long ride with suspicions increasing.
Belle realized that they were in a serious predicament—just how serious she could not yet tell, for, except for the knowledge that the driver was not connected with the X Bar X Ranch and that the note had been a forgery, the girl was as much in the dark as ever. But she did not lose heart.
Swiftly she glanced about her. Those hoofbeats were coming closer, and she knew if an escape were to be attempted, it must be soon.
“Mr. Richmond,” Belle said slowly, turning toward the front seat, “I suppose it is useless to ask you for an explanation.”
Before the man answered, he hitched up his belt, and Belle saw the butt of a revolver protruding over the door of the car. She pretended not to notice, and waited for his reply.
“What’s the matter—ain’t you comfortable?” the man countered. “I even brought Cleopatra along to—all right, Clovita, then! Don’t go bitin’ my ear off. I say I brought Clove along to keep you company. She’ll make a fine travelin’ companion, won’t you, Cleo—won’t you, Clove?”
Ethel, who was almost as pale as her white collar, put her hand to her throat.
“Traveling—traveling companion?” she faltered. “What do you mean? Where are you taking us? Oh, Nell, I’m so frightened!”
“You nice lady,” came from the old woman, who was grinning widely. “You no get scared. Everyt’ing all right. You maybe go on a visit for a little while with me, and I show you pretty things. See!” and she held out her hand. Nell took from it a bracelet, apparently of finely wrought gold. Out of curiosity the girls examined it until they felt Richmond observing them strangely. With a shudder Nell handed it back. The moment the woman had it in her hand again Richmond seized it viciously.
“Tryin’ to get away with somethin’, hey?” he snarled. “We was to go fifty-fifty on all stuff you picked up, an’ you know it. Where’d you get this, hey? Some fool lady who wanted her fortune told, I reckon.”