He's probably well on his way to
the post now. I delayed the game at the stage there on purpose to
give him a good start. He's safe by now."
"It was a close call," laughed the other. "He's got to give us a
dinner for helping him out of this."
"We'd have caught him red-handed," said Crosby, "if we'd been five
minutes sooner. Lord!" he gasped. "It makes me cold to think of it.
The men would have shot him off his horse. But what a story for those
women! I hope I'll be there when they tell it. If Ranson can keep his
face straight, he's a wonder." For some moments they raced silently
neck by neck, and then Curtis again leaned from his saddle. "I hope
he HAS turned back to the post," he said. "Look at the men how
they're keeping watch for him. They're scouts, all of them."
"What if they are?" returned Crosby, easily. "Ranson's in uniform--
out for a moonlight canter. You can bet a million dollars he didn't
wear his red mask long after he heard us coming."
"I suppose he'll think we've followed to spoil his fun. You know you
said we would."
"Yes, he was going to shoot us," laughed Crosby. "I wonder why he
packs a gun. It's a silly thing to do.
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