The Secret of the Ranch

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22515, 24 September 1938, Page 6 (Supplement)

The Secret of the Ranch

WSat has happened

A plan of a secret cave on S teuton's ranch has been stolen, so Stenton rides with his’cowboys to secure the diarnonds .before the robbers 'get to -the - cave. : As Stenton approaches Morgan’s gang retreat hurriedly. I-

•i; - : ."...CHAPTER 3. "Ob ” ?said Stenton ’ with relief, •I'm afraid that's not the last we’ve seen of them.” “No!” said Venters grimly, "Look!” Through the darkness the men saw a faint line of horsemen galloping furiously. “They are making another attempt to get those diamonds. Get behind me quickly, Jane! Keep by me, boys. I’ve g:ot the diamonds.” Then Stenton sent Jane with Venters as a guide back to the ranch before the fight started, ,

Blows rained:, thick and fast, the horses whinnied - tearfully but soon the attackers retreated swiftly inty the darkness. K'.-. ; i “They haven’t got the anyway,” Stenton said feeling for the pouch by his holster. “Strange, I'm certain;! put them there.” Suddenly the: truth dawned on him. “It’s been taken.’? ~ Furious with .rage he called the boys and told thAh. '. . . “But we can’t do ..anything noW. It’s impossible in the dark. Did all the gang .get, away?” “No. • There were three -stunned in the fight.” , “Good,” he replied.' “We’ll have to get out of them where Morgan’s hide-out ■ is” , .•The day Was now paling the eastern horizon and With' the three men securely bound, the party set off once more across-the purple sage. By the time they neared the corrals the Sun was well up, glistening on, the dewy sage and warming the damp atmosphere. Then up from the long grass near the bunk-house something waved feebly, Stenton rode quickly on. “Ventors!” He was almost unconscious from an ugly wound' in the head but he managed to gasp, “They’ve taken Miss Jane.” Stenton’s face turned ashy white. A grim, cold fury lit his eyes and he seemed to be afraid to trust him-

(By ’Mate Perth)

sell to speak. Calling the boys, he said, “They’ve stolen my daughter.” * For a'mbihent there was silence, then Stax,, one of the foremost men can the ranch spoke, "We are all with you, sir, every man jack of us and we’re ready to do anything possible under the sun to get your daughter back. A chorus of approval rapg from the boys. “Well, first we’ll have to get what we can out of the three captured men,” said Stenton. Then he added bitterly, “Oh, why jjidn’t 1 send half-a-dozen boys with her. Morgan is capable of anything,” The two men/at first refused to say anything but at last spoke. All that could be got out of them, however, was: “The hide-out is 14 miles ■down Canyon Creek.” Not another Word would-they say. “Well,, that’s enough,’*; snapped Stenton, “we’ll go on that.”- , In his room with Stax he laid his plans. “Morgan won’t harm Jane,” he said. “You will go on first and spy out the land.. Gather as much information as you can. Maybe you’ll get Jane . . . no, that is asking too much. She will be closely guarded, and also we’ve got to get the diamonds, but .they are nothing, ..not worth that much.” he snapped his fingers, “until we get Jane back,” He moved restlessly about the room, stopping ‘ suddenly,, his .fingers twitching nervously.. “Hadn’t you better stay here, sir? Your place is by the boys and the ranch can’t be left,” "Yes, I suppose you’re right. Stax, but it’s agony waiting,” Stenton passed his hand over his brow. “If any harm comes to that girl , . . but come on,' we’re not doing any good sitting here.” Stax held out his hand as they rose, “I’m with you all the way, sir,” he said fervently. (To be continued.)