“No, it was not Janus.  The signal was fired from a rifle,” answered Harriet Burrell.

CHAPTER XXIV

CONCLUSION

“There goes another shot!” exclaimed Harriet.

“Answer it, dear.”

“There are only five more shells in the gun.  Shall I use them all?”

“Shoot once.”

Harriet did so, getting two signal shots in return.

“That means the strangers have heard and understood, does it not?” questioned the guardian.

“I think so.  Now, I would suggest that we keep very quiet until we see who it is.  We don’t know but it may be our old enemy, who is taking this method of locating us.  I have four more cartridges in the magazine.  I think we should be able to hold the strangers off with those if we have to.”

“Do not fire a shot unless I tell you to!” commanded Miss Elting firmly.

Harriet agreed with a nod, while the guardian stepped back to warn the other girls to be absolutely silent, no matter what might happen.

Harriet, acting upon a sudden thought ran over to the fire and scattered it with a stick so that it would not blaze up so high.  Then she returned to her post.  Some time had elapsed before she was startled, all at once, by the sound of a stick snapping.

The girl crept to a more favorable position, where she could obtain a better view of the camp.  Then her heart fairly leaped into her throat.  Standing plainly outlined in the flickering light of the campfire was a man.  Harriet studied the man, then slowly slid the barrel of the rifle into position.

“Stand still!  Don’t move!” she cried.  “I have you covered.  If you move I’ll shoot!  Hands up!”

The man started, opened his mouth as if he were about to speak, then quickly raised his hands above his head.  There was a half grin of amusement on the face of the visitor, but Harriet, as she crouched squinting over the barrel of the captured rifle, failed to notice it.  The light was faint and the man’s hat shaded his face.

“Who are you and what do you want here?” she demanded, a trace of excitement in her tone.

“It’s all right, Miss,” the man smiled, tilting back his hat and revealing an open countenance.  “I’m the sheriff of the county.  I’ve been sent to look you up.  We have your guide down at the foot of the White Trail.  He’s been hurt.  We’ve got another fellow in whom you’ll be interested too.  Janus Grubb sent us to find you.”

“Is Mr. Grubb badly hurt?” queried Harriet, as all the girls came slowly out from their hiding places.