"No! You will probably find me in the fight when it comes off; but I can't take service under Captain Merle."
"Why can't you?"
"I—don't—like—the man."
"Very well. We will hold the ranch to the last," said Old Broadbrim. "If Blacklocks knew this perhaps he would postpone his swoop."
"Not he! You don't know him," cried Black George. "He has sworn a great oath that by to-morrow not one of you shall be alive, and that the gold in the treasure house shall be in the pockets of his bandits."
The native cast a hasty glance over the landscape behind him and drew back.
"Get ready for the storm. It will come to-night," he finished; and in another second Old Broadbrim saw him withdraw.
Slowly the detective rode back to the ranch.
He dismounted in front of the dwelling house and stood face to face with both Merle and Belle Demona.
He delivered his information, and saw the face of Merle lose a little color, and the woman's eyes suddenly flash.