Charleton did not answer, and when they crossed the canyon back of Rodman’s, Douglas, hurt and resentful, turned the Moose onto the home trail.  He had gone almost beyond hailing distance before Charleton called, “Come down and see me soon, old cattle rustler!”

Instantly Doug’s spirits soared.  He waved his hand with a grin and put the Moose to a trot.

It was supper time when he clanked into the kitchen.  His father and mother were at the table.

“You’re early, Doug!” exclaimed John.

Doug nodded.  “Where’s Judith?”

“Keeping that mysterious date of hers.  Maud, of course!  She won’t be home till late.  I hope it’s not with Inez.  You look tired, Doug.”

“I am.  Jude makes me sick.  She’s harder to watch than a boy!”

John laughed enigmatically and went out to finish his chores.  Shortly, Douglas followed him and told the story of the miscarried adventure.

“I told Charleton not to let Scott in on it,” exclaimed John.  “Serves him right.  I sure got the laugh on Charleton this time.”

“He’s awful sore!  Acts kind of suspicious of me,” said Douglas ruefully.

“A guy like Charleton don’t even trust himself.”  John pitched down a forkful of hay.  “Have you any idea what Maud and Jude are up to?”

“No, sir.  Are you worried about her?”

John laughed.  “As long as Scott Parsons was with you, why worry?  We’d ought to let Young Jeff run that crook out of the valley.”

“I’ll do it myself, some day.”  Douglas squared his big shoulders as he spoke.  He was still very thin and his clothes hung loose on him.  But his father, looking him over, did not smile.

“Go to it, boy,” he said.

Douglas had planned to lie awake until Judith returned.  But the minute he touched his pillow he dropped into dreamless slumber from which he did not waken until breakfast time.  John was scolding Judith when Doug reached the table.

“That’s all right, to be so highty-tighty.  You can get away with that with your mother but not with me.  It was nearly three o’clock this morning when you came in.”

“O, no, John!  It wasn’t that late,” protested Mary anxiously.

“Now, Mary, don’t put up one of your fool lies for the little devil.  I know what time it was.  What excuse have you, miss?”

Judith, who was looking tired, but singularly self-satisfied, answered demurely, “I was out on business, Dad.  And I’m going to get pay for it, too.  A horse that will really buck.”

John’s face was flushing when Douglas spoke.  “Aw, let her keep her secret, Dad!  I don’t think she’s done a thing but rope a stray pony.”

Judith protested quickly.  “Nothing of the kind!  If you three just knew what I have done, you’d respect me.  Anyway, Doug, I know where you were.  Over on Fire Mesa with Charleton Falkner.”

“Who told you that?” grinned Douglas.