"They're gone, sir. Over the ridge yonder you can hear the last sounds of their horses."
"Yes. When you get off to-night come into the house," said Merle, and with this he left Old Broadbrim and went toward the ranch dwelling.
Two hours later the relief came around and Old Broadbrim marched back to the house.
Already he was a hero.
His comrades received him with demonstrations of delight and he was overwhelmed with words of praise.
But it was when he entered the presence of Belle Demona and stood before her, that he feared for his safety.
Her lustrous eyes looked him over from head to foot, and he heard her questions about the fight with the bandits.
He answered all with coolness, and all the while was watched by Merle, who stood near and confirmed his story.
"It's all right so far," thought Old Broadbrim. "I'm the hero of the hour, but let them find me out, or even suspect me, and my life won't be worth the snuffing of a tallow dip. I am in the lion's den and I must play out my hand coolly. It is no time for fear—I must lose no nerve in this new death-trap."
Merle Macray was about to quit the room when a horse stopped in front of the ranch house and the next moment footsteps sounded on the porch.