"Evidently he didn't start," said Mead. "He couldn't have missed the
light if he did."
"I remember now he was standing by the door when we left," added Parker.
"Standing by the door, was he?" took up the Irishman swiftly. "As
there's a Heaven and a Hell he's not standing there now, I'll wager!"
Again face to face, as when they had first caught sight of that meaning
black band, the three spectators there beneath the stars stood staring
at each other. It was O'Reilly again who broke the silence.
"Don't you people understand yet what this all means, what's happened?"
he interrogated unbelievingly.
"It means there's been an incendiary here; I guess there's no doubt
about that," said Mead.
"Yes," blurted O'Reilly, "and that incendiary's How Landor, and he's
been here within the half hour; and Craig's been alone back there in the
ranch house." He paused for breath. "Can't you see now? At last the
Indian has found out!"
For the fraction of a minute, while understanding came home, not a man
stirred. Then of a sudden Parker turned swiftly and started back into
the night.
"By the Eternal," he corroborated, "I believe you're right. We can't get
there a second too quick."
"Too quick!" caught up the Irishman for the last time. "We couldn't get
there quick enough if we had wings. It's all over before this, take my
word for it."
* * * * *
And it was.
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