Her scream came to his ears.
"Colonel! Watch out!"
In startled surprise, he slid the carbine from his shoulder. She had known he was following her and that he was somewhere near! Thoughts like startled hornets flicked through his consciousness. How had she known he was following her? Why had she let him do it? More important, where was she leading him? Most important of all, why was she trying to save him when her own life was in danger?
Even if she had known he was following her, obviously she hadn't known these men were here. She hadn't been coming to meet them. Then what was her purpose in climbing to this old ghost town which lay just at timberline on the edge of a mountain wilderness where Cuso was held at bay?
The first ruffian was standing erect. Zen brought the sights of the carbine to bear on the center of his ragged coat.
"Drop the gun!" a voice said behind him.
Even more surprising than the command was the fact that he knew the voice that had spoken. Or he thought he did. He let the carbine slide from his fingers.
"Now get 'em up."
He raised his hands. "Hello, Jake," he called out.
An exclamation of surprise came from behind him. "How the hell did you know me?"