“That wild devil of a driver swore he’d get me here one time,” replied the big man. “My God, I almost prayed several times.”

Olsen laughed loudly, whirled his long whip over the team, and rattled away in a cloud of dust. Baldy and the big man got into the buckboard, swung the team around, and headed across country toward the K-10 Ranch.

“Lee Yung didn’t come with yuh, eh?” queried Baldy, when he had slowed up to circle a washout.

“He came through last night. I thought it would be best. What is the latest news?”

“I don’t know any news,” replied Baldy. “Yuh see, I dunno what it’s all about. Lee Yung didn’t know either, Doc. We thought somethin’ was wrong, so Lee tells me he’s goin’ to Frisco and see Doc Meline. I ain’t seen Lee since he came back.”

“You didn’t get my letter, eh?” asked Doctor Meline.

“I dunno anythin’ about a letter.”

“The letter I sent you a few days before somebody held up the stage.”

“I didn’t git no letter from yuh, Doc.”

For some distance Doctor Meline remained silent. Then: