The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-07-25
CHAPTER W

CHAPTER W
 They returned from an hours ride ravenous and after dinner Steve suggested walk The sun had just set, huge orange circle that left the indescribable beauty of a soft, western dusk. They were both still in riding togs. Nikki linked her arm through Steve's and they strolled silently, both lost in the magic loveliness of the twilight. The dust of the yard padded their foot steps. There was no sound except the faint notes of radio music from the background of the ranch house, framed against the darkening sky.
 They stopped at the corral fence, their figures hidden by the shadow of a shed. In swift motion Steve took Nikki in his arms and their differences vanished like the out lines of the distant hills fading in- to the lowering night. They stood thus for many seconds, their bodies locked, oblivious to the ranch and to- the world. Then they heard a man speak and Nikki stepped back.
 Bancroft and Sarto were stand ing not more than 20 feet away, unable to see them because of the shadow of the shed. The first words they heard were Sarto'S.
 q know you're the boss, but I'm tellin' you this is no spot for us. Let's get away"
 Steve started to take step out into the light and reveal their presence, but warning pressure on his arm from Nikki stopped him. This was no time for ethics. Bancroft was answering in the same low, smooth voice, but the undertone of metallic hardness was rising.
 T know what I'm doing. The girl saw the money, tell you. l don't know how much she knows. Suppose she wires old Jerome. We've got to keep an eye on her"
 'Is that the only reason you want to keep an eye on herr" asked Sarto sarcastically. wouldn't you like, maybe
 "You won't say any more," said Bancroft and Nikki shuddered at the way he said it. you're not smart, Sarto, but you're too smart to say any more. And don't think, either, Sarto. Don even try. I've always done the thinking. I'll keep on doing the thinking in the Je- rome affair"
 He walked away. Sarto followed after a moment. The magic of the night had changed and become strangely sinister.
 Nikki and Steve stood silently in the shadow of the shed after the two men had vanished toward the ranch house. Steve was waiting for Nikki to speak, but she was lost III startled thoughts.
 What was the Jerome affair" and why was Bancroft so afraid of her getting in touch with her father? What did Sarto mean by that half finished sentence? Nikki was accustomed to having men interested in her. Several had been, with varied thoughts behind their interest, but there was an implied menace in the Sarto blend of innuendo. Steve finally spoke.
 "Nikki, this business has gone for enough" he said. T want to know who Bancroft and his un- pleasant friend are and what you are doing mixed up in their busi- mess, or they in yours or what ever the devil is going on,' he wound up, bewildered by his own words.
 "They seem to know father, all right, don't they?" said Nikkl, mostly to herself.
 "Nikki" Steve was almost ex- ploding. "You said that Bancroft was an old friend. I don't be- lieve it. I don't believe you ever saw him before you got on the train. Anyway, if he is an old friend, I can't say so much for your taste" Nikki turned to him.
 Steve, believe me, I don't know anything more about all this than you do, at least not much more. And I can't tell you any thing right now. Please trust me, just for a little while longer, won't you? It's something I can't well, just can't talk about now"
 "You mean, it's something you can't tell me?" Steve's tone was half incredulous, half accusing.
 Darling, it's something I can't tell anyone just now. Besides, ther's nothing to tell. Please trust me"
 I'm to trust you, but you don't trust me. I'm to stand by and see what happens when the girl I'm to marry tangles up with a couple of starnge thugs she won't even tell me about. And they're thugs if I ever sa W any. What am I supposed to do? Pretend I don't know what's going on, or don't you care?"
 Of course I care"
 Well, you don't act like it, Steve was thoroughly angry, but Nikki could not tell him of the strange meeting on the train or of the dressing case full of money, so they parted for the night un- happily
 The next day about noon Uncle Jim came driving up to the ranch in his prized station wagon with a