A great, beautiful wave of crimson swept over her face.

“Harry wants it right away,” she said.

“The sooner the better,” remarked Bob Flick dryly.  “And, by the way”—­he put his hand in his pocket and drew out the little black leather bag she had given Jose—­“Jose sent you back this for a wedding present.  Honest, he didn’t keep out more than three stones.  Why,” a flash of alarm on his face, “what’s the matter, Hughie?”

The blind boy was standing a little apart from the rest.  His head was thrown up and his face was pale.  He was nervously clinching and unclinching his hands, but with that exception his attitude was one of tenseness and singular stillness, as if every faculty were concentrated.

“There’s something about,” he gasped, “something bad.  I can’t tell what it is yet, but I’ll know in a minute.  Ah-hh!” He rushed across the open space before the cabin and into the trees that grew thickly at the side.

It took Flick but a second to follow him, and the next moment Pearl and her father heard him call.  “Come out.  I got you covered, but I’ll thank you first for your gun.”

Gallito also started forward now, but before he had taken more than a step or two Hugh emerged first from the underbrush, followed by Hanson and then by Flick.

Seeing who it was, Pearl had shrunk back into the shadow of the room, but then, as if forcing herself to an unpleasant task, she came forward again and leaned against the door post, nonchalant and disdainful in spite of her pallor and the faint trembling of her lower lip.

Hanson swept off his hat and bowed low with exaggerated courtesy and much of his old swagger.  The heavy dissipation of the last few months was evident in a marked and shocking way.  His figure was gross and bloated, and his bold, ruddy good looks had vanished; his swollen face was purple and the features seemed curiously thickened.  The hand which held his hat trembled constantly.

“Again we meet,” he cried.  “Well, under the circumstances, I’ve no objection.  You pleasant little band of thieves have got ahead of the honest man once or twice, but not for keeps.  This is my day, thank you.  I’m not giving away information ahead of time again, but, just between friends, I’ll mention that the sheriff is overdue at Nitschkan’s cabin, where Jose happens to be.  They’ll be up after the rest of you presently.”

“Carraja!” Gallito ground his teeth, “and I left him at the mine.”  Then quickly to Pearl, “Suppose he should get away from them.  Are both horses in the stable?”

“Both,” she said.  “Hurry, you get on one and I will have the other ready for him.  Come, I will help you.  Hugh, get down to Nitschkan’s and warn them if you can.”

Gallito ran through the cabin after her.  This commotion roused Seagreave and after calling once or twice to Pearl and receiving no answer, he made his way to the doorway, appearing there, thin and white, still upon crutches.