In the ghostly darkness of the time before the gray forerunner of the
dawn appears on the horizon they came in sight of the Double A
ranchhouse.
Sanderson was still leading. The ranchhouse burst upon his vision as
his horse topped a rise that had obscured his view of the ranchhouse,
and he saw it, clearly outlined.
Riding down the slope of the rise he smiled. For there was a light in
one of the ranchhouse windows. Mary had left it burn on his account,
he divined.
He halted and allowed Owen to come near him.
"Mary ain't to hear about this deal tonight," he told the little man.
"Not a peep--understand?"
Without waiting for an answer he rode onward.
Thinking that, perhaps, in spite of the burning lamp Mary might be
sleeping, Sanderson cautiously dismounted at the corral gates, and,
leaving Owen to put his own horse away, he walked toward the house,
stealthily, for he did not wish to awaken the girl.
Halfway across the ranchhouse yard, Sanderson saw a shadow cross the
light in the window.
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