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.

Again he grinned, thinking Mary had not gone to bed after all.
But, going forward more unconcernedly, Sanderson's smile faded and was succeeded by a savage frown.

For in the shadow formed by the little "L" at the junction of the house and porch, he saw a horse saddled and bridled.
Suddenly alert, and yielding to the savage rage that gripped him, Sanderson stole softly forward and looked closely at the animal.