Without
dismounting, Brian Oakley called, "Hello, Henry!" There was no answer.
Moving his horse close to the window of the room where he knew the rancher
slept, the Ranger tapped on the sash. "Henry, turn out; I want to see you;
it's Oakley."
A moment later the sash was raised and Carleton asked, "What is it, Brian?
What's up?"
"Is Sibyl stopping with you folks, to-night?"
"Sibyl! Haven't seen her since they went down from their summer camp.
What's the matter?"
Briefly, the Ranger explained the situation. The rancher interrupted only
to greet the artist with a "howdy, Mr. King," as the officer's words made
known the identity of his companion.
When Brian Oakley had concluded, the rancher said, "I heard that 'auto'
going up, and then heard it going back down, again, about an hour ago. You
missed it by turning off to Morton's. If you'd come on straight up here
you'd a met it."
"Did you see the man on horseback, going down, just before dusk?" asked
the officer.
"Yes, but not near enough to know him. You don't suppose Sibyl would go up
to her old home do you, Brian?"
"She might, under the circumstances. Aaron and I will ride up there, on
the chance."
"You'll stop in on your way back?" called the rancher, as the two horsemen
moved away.
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