Stareyes had vanished, perhaps under the belief that she had finished her work and she might be well on the way to Perth ere this.
When day came the ranch looked as beautiful as ever, and the men joked with each other about the attack which did not materialize.
Old Broadbrim's brain was busy.
He knew that he was under suspicion despite the assurances to the contrary both from Merle and the ranch queen.
The test in the night had told him this and he felt that he was to be put to other tests ere long.
Perhaps Jem would come back with a report for Belle Demona, and the fact that the pit in Melbourne had been found empty, would tell Merle that he had escaped the tenth step.
Among the men who came out from Perth with him, Old Broadbrim had formed the acquaintance of one who impressed him favorably.
This was a young fellow of five-and-twenty who had served a year in the country police of England and who wanted to get back and resume his old station.
Old Broadbrim had carefully sounded him.
Dick Waters was just the man he seemed to need.