Stranleigh went down to the house, mounted his horse, and rode away.
He had accomplished little more than half the distance when he perceived a horseman coming towards him. They approached one another with some caution. Stranleigh would have passed in silence had not the other accosted him.
“Hello, stranger!” he said. “You from the ranch?”
“Yes.”
“Been stopping there?”
“Yes.”
“How’s everything? Folks all well?”
“Yes; they were when I left. Is there any chance that you are Mr. Armstrong?”
“That’s my name.”
“I’m very glad to meet you, sir. I’m Stranleigh, who telegraphed the detective to find you and hand you two hundred dollars, begging you to get home in a hurry.”