Was it Stiffbold and Lightly and Larrimer he feared? But what danger was there to her and Tavia from any of these men?
She thought of Stanley Blake and the little man, Gibbons, who were in reality Stiffbold and Lightly. They would know soon—probably did already, for they had seen her and Tavia in conversation with Lance Petterby—that she and her chum had other interests in Desert City than the pursuit of a runaway boy.
Stiffbold had even confided in her to some extent concerning his plans. Would it not be natural then, when he learned, as he must, that she was engaged to Garry Knapp, for him to include her in any villainous schemes he might be hatching?
Dorothy felt a thrill of foreboding. She had been so busy worrying about others that she had never given a thought to her own safety.
But what did it matter? As long as she could feel that Garry and Joe were safe she would not very much care what happened to herself.
But she must get to Garry. In spite of all the Stiffbolds and Lightlys, she must get to Garry!
She saw Tavia coming from the house and beckoned to her impatiently.
“You never give a fellow half a chance to eat, Dorothy Dale,” grumbled Tavia, as she came up to her. “I wanted another piece of apple pie and I went without it for your sweet sake. You ought to appreciate it—you really ought.”
“Which I don’t in the least,” snapped Dorothy, at the limit of her patience. “Are you going to get on this pony’s back or must I go to the Knapp ranch alone?”
“Well, if I must,” sighed Tavia, and threw her leg over the pony’s shining back.