His back was turned toward the ranch and he did not see the figure that glided through the grass toward him.
It had the movements of a serpent and the noiselessness of a jungle tiger.
There was a belt of high grass just behind the guard and there the creeper dropped.
For half a minute all was still as before and then a name was distinctly spoken.
"Roger Reef!"
It was the name under which Old Broadbrim had crossed the sea after the murderer of Custer Kipp, the millionaire.
It fell upon the ear of the detective, but he did not start.
He merely looked toward the grass and then seemed to bend toward the spot as if to inspect it more closely.
The name was uttered again.
In another instant the detective threw his repeating rifle to his shoulder and covered the clump of grass.