The conference, which took place under the cedar near the Ida, did not last long.

“Curly,” said Enoch, lighting his pipe, “I haven’t made up my mind yet, whether I want you to give me the information about Fowler and Brown or not.”

“What’s the difficulty?” demanded Curly.

“Well, there’s a number of personal reasons that I don’t like to go into.  But I’ve a suggestion to make.  You say you’re trying to get money together with which to retain a lawyer and carry out a campaign, so you aren’t in a hurry, anyway.  Now you write down in a letter all that you know about the two men, and send the letter to me, I’ll treat it as absolutely confidential, and will return the material to you without reading it if I decide not to use it.”

Curly puffed thoughtfully at his cigarette.  “That’s fair enough, Judge.  As you say there’s no great hurry and I always get het up, anyhow, when I talk about it.  I’d better put it down in cool black and white.  Where can I reach you?”

“No. 814 Blank Avenue, Washington, D. C.,” replied Enoch.

Curly pulled an old note book out of his hip pocket and set down the address: 

“All right, Judge, you’ll hear from me sometime in the next few weeks.  I’ll go back now and polish Agnew off.”

And he hurried away, leaving Enoch to smoke his pipe thoughtfully as he stared at the Ida.

CHAPTER XIV

LOVE IN THE DESERT

“While I was teaching my boy obedience, I would teach him his next great obligation, service.  So only could his manhood be a full one.”—­Enoch’s Diary.

Shortly after two o’clock, Diana announced that she was ready to start.  But the good-bys consumed considerable time and it was nearly three before they were really on their way.  Enoch’s eyes were a little dim as he shook hands with Milton.

“Curly has my address, Milton,” he said, “drop me a line once in a while.  I shall be more deeply interested in your success than you can realize.”

“I’ll do it, Judge, and when I get back East, I’ll look you up.  You’re a good sport, old man!”

“You’re more than that, Milton!  Good-by!” and Enoch hurried out in response to Jonas’ call.

They were finally mounted and permitted to go.  Na-che rode first, leading a pack mule, Jonas second, leading two mules, Diana followed, Enoch bringing up the rear.  Much to Jonas’ satisfaction, Enoch had been obliged to abandon the overalls and flannel shirt which he had worn into the Canyon.  Even the tweed suit was too ragged and shrunk to be used again.  So he was clad in the corduroy riding breeches and coat that Jonas had brought.  But John Red Sun’s boots were still doing notable service and the soft hat, faded and shapeless, was pulled down over his eyes in comfort if not in beauty.