THE PLEDGE Wid Gardner, by some miracle of self-confidence, did prove able to drive a car in some fashion, for he made the round trip to the dam in good enough time.

But he had had his trip for nothing; for Doctor Barnes now made sudden and unexplained resolution not to remain longer at Sim Gage's ranch.

After his departure in his own car, Wid Gardner approached Sim as he stood, hands in pockets, in his door yard.
"Well," said he.

And Sim, in the succinct fashion of the land, replied likewise, "Well"; which left honors even conversationally.
"How's things down below ?" asked Sim presently.
"Sort of uneasylike," replied Wid.

"News had got down there that something's wrong.