By the following morning worry had grown into genuine alarm, and ways and means for doing something were discussed by the rancher and his guests. No conclusion was arrived at, but shortly after luncheon their hopes were raised by a dust cloud down the valley. The cloud soon grew into a horse and rider, and as it neared them the rider was recognized as Judy. She was coming fast—her mustang running at top speed.
“Judy’s excited about something,” said Bindloss, a frown wrinkling his forehead.
The same thought was in the mind of each Overland Rider. Perhaps Judy was bringing news from the party that went in search of Stacy and Jim.
The mountain girl indulged in no fancy horsemanship that afternoon. She rode straight up to the porch of the ranch-house and threw herself from the saddle.
“Give me a drink of water. I’ve swallered a quart of dust,” was her greeting.
“Is—is anything wrong?” begged Nora.
“Mebby everythin’ is. Hello, Pap Bindloss. Ain’t grown any better lookin’ since I was here, be you?”
“What’s the matter, Judy?” he asked, ignoring her fling at him. “I know something is wrong.”
She gave him a quick flashing look.
“You see too dad-gasted much for an old man. Ah-h-h-h! That water tastes good. Where’s yer folks, Miss Gray?” she asked casually, and emptied the glass of water.