During the remainder of the week nothing very exciting occurred at Ranch Robin.
Belle Demona thought that the secret of Jem's mission was her own, and she was as gay as a lark.
Roland Riggs, the new guard, became quite a man about the place.
No one suspected his identity.
Old Broadbrim in that character was a man to be praised, for he did his work well and became the best and most painstaking of the new guards.
It was the third night after Jem's departure, and Old Broadbrim was patrolling his beat some distance from the little copse from which the bandits of the ranches generally made their appearance, when he discovered something dark moving along the lighter ground.
In another moment he made out the figure of Merle Macray, and saw that he was approaching him.
The detective looked closely and started.
Had he been suspected and was the old enemy about to unmask him?
Suddenly Merle, in the little moonlight that fell upon the region, stopped and turned his face toward the copse.