"She lurks somewhere on the ranch."
"She is very cunning."
"Yes; but I'll find her. Let me find this creature, and she will have cause to remember me to the day of her death!"
As she spoke her eyes flashed and her breath seemed to come in gasps.
"Riggs, will you go to Perth for me?" she suddenly asked, lowering her voice.
"When?"
"Now! You can start at a moment's notice. The horse can be had at the door inside of five minutes, and you know the way."
Old Broadbrim hesitated.
To refuse to carry out her wishes would be to throw him under the shadow of suspicion and to go would disarrange the plans he and Waters had formed.
"It is very urgent business, and I feel that you are the man of all our guards to be trusted," continued the ranch queen. "You can ride Black Duke and he will take you safely to Perth."