Morgan left the saloon, and Hashknife went back to the bar, where Sleepy joined them in a few minutes. He had made their purchases and was ready to go home. The ex-6X6 cowboys wanted them to make a night of it, but Hashknife and Sleepy declined.
It was nearing suppertime when they rode away from town, and it was almost dark when they arrived at the ranch. There were no lights in the ranch-house, no sign of any one about the place. When they stabled their horses, they discovered that the two extra saddle horses and riding rigs were missing.
‘Betcha Nan and Rex went for a ride,’ said Sleepy, as they headed for the ranch-house.
There was no one in the house. They lighted a lamp in the kitchen, and on the table they found a penciled note:
If we miss meeting you, this note will tell you that we decided to ride to Cañonville. May be back to-night. Don’t worry.
Nan and Rex
P.S. There’s an apple pie in the oven.
‘Well, that explains it,’ said Sleepy, visibly relieved.
‘Uh-huh,’ grunted Hashknife. ‘I suppose she wanted to see her folks.’
‘Can’t blame her for that, cowboy.’
‘No, I reckon yuh can’t. That apple pie in the oven sounds good to me.’