Old Broadbrim did not hesitate.
"Thee will follow me without a single word," said he. "The men are in the guard house. Thee will proceed with me to the stables spared by the fire."
"Come! You see how eager I am to obey you," answered Merle. "To the stables, did you say?"
"Yes."
The Quaker detective, with a cocked revolver in his hand and his keen eye fastened upon Merle, walked him to the door.
"One break for liberty—one signal to her or any of your men, and the murder of Custer Kipp will be avenged on Ranch Robin!" said a voice at Merle's back.
He did not look around to see who had spoken—he knew without that—and the door was opened.
They stepped into the starlight.
Nothing was seen of Belle Demona, and the sounds of noisy men in the guard house had died away.
The scene was strangely quiet after the fire, and the total absence of a living soul save themselves seemed to startle Merle.