included in his meagre equipment. Slowly and methodically he
worked up the crevice, knocking off certain sharp points of rock,
and knowing all the while what would probably happen to him if he
were overheard.

He was not discovered, however. When he laid elbows on the upper
level of the rim and pulled himself up, his coat was on his back
where it belonged, and even Barney could have followed him. Yet
the top showed no evidence of a widening of the fissure. The
bushy junipers hid him completely while he reconnoitred and
considered what he should do.

Because the place was close and the invisible call was strong,
Casey went first to the rock hut, circled it carefully and found
that it was exactly what it had seemed at first sight; a hidden
place with no evident opening save that high, small window under
the eaves. There was no sign of pathway leading to it, no trace
of life outside its wall. But when he crept close and peeked in
again, there sat the old woman rocking back and forth. But
to-day she stared at the wall before her.

Casey felt a distinct sensation of relief just in knowing that
she was, after all, capable of moving. Now her head was not
bent, but rested against the back of her chair. She was rocking
steadily, quietly, with never a halt.

Casey rapped on the window and waited, fighting a nameless dread
of the mystery of her. But she continued to rock and to stare at
the wall; if she heard the tapping she gave no sign whatever. So
presently he turned away and set himself to the work of finding