CHAPTER V
PAST AND FUTURE
It was a week before Sheridan was able to go up to the Hidden Homestead, as Mary Burrows had named the holding in the heart of Ghost Mountain. He had news from Metzal that Hollister had left town for his ranch and the charms of the girl Juanita, which relieved him of apprehensions on the score of any speedy return visit of that blackguard to the mountain. He also believed that his own threat, uttered in all earnestness, would have deterrent effect for a considerable period.
He planned out a gate on paper and devised an arrangement for a heavy bar which could be raised from the outside by a trick of levers so that the two women could leave their front—and only—door locked when they were away. He was proud of the way in which he concealed the manner of opening the gate, having a knack for such small engineering, and he set Stoney, who was handy with tools, to work on preliminary construction.
Meanwhile he had his own work mapped out. He was gradually making a tour of Chico Mesa, getting acquainted with the ranchers, feeling them out as to his water project. None of them were wealthy, though all made a good living, but Sheridan hoped that he might be able to finance the develop-
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