Merle was looking for the detective; he was investigating in person to see if the hunter who had escaped the pit in Melbourne had yet found his way to Round Robin Ranch.
Over each sleeper the man bent and threw the light of the little bull's-eye upon him.
Old Broadbrim saw all this, while Merle searched those in the other beds, knowing well that in time he would reach him.
The crisis of his man hunt seemed to have come, but he did not lose his nerve.
At last Merle stepped to where he lay, and the detective, with closed eyes, felt that he was being subjected to a terrible examination.
Merle lingered longer over him than usual.
He held the light in various positions, so as to see all of the hunter's face, and at last he stepped back.
It was a ruse to deceive the detective, but Old Broadbrim did not open his eyes.
Not for five minutes did he stir.
He heard the little door open and shut, and then he looked and found himself in darkness.