“Not more than five or six miles, I believe,” Laura replied.

Lenora rose softly to her feet and strolled to the back of the range wagon.  In a few moments she reappeared, carrying a piece of paper in her hand.  She stooped down.

“Craig’s saddling up,” she whispered.  “Look what he dropped.”

She held out the paper, on which was traced a roughly drawn map.

“That line’s the river that marks the Mexican border,” she explained.  “You see where Long Jim’s put the cross?  That’s where the bridge is.  That other cross is the camp.”

She pointed away southwards.

“That’s the line,” she continued.  “Laura, where’s the Professor?”

“I don’t know,” Laura replied.  “He rode off some time ago, said he was going to meet Mr. Quest.”

“If only he were here!” Lenora muttered.  “I feel sure Craig means to escape.  There he goes.”

They saw him ride off into the darkness.  Lenora ran to where her horse was tethered.

“I’m going after him,” she announced.  “Listen, Laura.  If they arrive soon, send them after me.  That’s the line, as near as I can tell you,” she added, pointing.

“Wait; I’m coming too!” Laura exclaimed.

Lenora shook her head.

“You must stay here and tell them about it,” she insisted.  “I shall be all right.”

She galloped off while Laura was still undecided.  Almost at that moment she heard from behind the welcome sound of horses’ feet in the opposite direction and Quest alone galloped up.  Laura laid her hand upon his rein.

“Where are the others?” she asked.

“French and two deputies from the township are about a mile behind,” Quest replied.  “They’ve had trouble with their horses.”

“Don’t get off,” Laura continued quickly.  “Craig has escaped, riding towards the Mexican frontier.  Lenora is following him.  He’s gone in that direction,” she added, pointing.  “When you come to the river you’ll have to hunt for the bridge.”

Quest frowned as he gathered up his reins.

“I was afraid they’d try something of the sort,” he muttered.  “Tell the others where I’ve gone, Laura.”

He galloped off into the darkness.  Behind, there were some growls from the little group of cowboys, none of whom, however, attempted to interfere with him.  Long Jim stood up and gazed sullenly southwards.

“Cookie’ll make the bridge all right,” he remarked.  “If the girl catches him, she can’t do anything.  And that last guy’ll never make it.  Whoop!  Here come the rest of them.”

The Inspector, with two deputies, rode suddenly into the camp.  The Inspector paused to speak to Laura.  Long Jim’s eyes sparkled as he saw them approach.

“It’s old Harris and fat Andy,” he whispered.  “We’ll have some fun with them.”

The older of the two deputies approached them frowning.

“Been at your games again, Long Jim?” he began.  “I hear you declined to hand over a criminal who’s been sheltering on your ranch?  You’ll get into trouble before you’ve finished.”