Stareyes pushed the detective back, and listened with her face turned toward the little hills.
"They are to come from yon point," she whispered. "Who is to do it? Belle and Merle!"
In another instant the detective led his horse around a clump of bushes, and thus screened his body.
"Wait, I'll draw them off. You must have a breathing spell," cried the girl. "Stand where you are. I'll draw them back."
The figure of the girl vanished, and Old Broadbrim stood alone in the night.
Five minutes later he saw a jet of flame shoot heavenward where the ranch houses were.
He stood transfixed with astonishment as he looked, and for a moment did not speak.
All at once the fire bells of Ranch Robin rang out on the air, and their clanging startled all.
The ranch house was in flames!
"It is the girl's work," thought the detective. "She plays a desperate hand, but the right one just now."