Keith led directly across the open prairie, guiding his course by the stars, and purposely avoiding the trails, where some suspicious eye might mark their passage.

His first object was to get safely away from the scattered settlements lying east of Carson City.

Beyond their radius he could safely dispose of the horses they rode, disappear from view, and find time to develop future plans.

As to the girl--well, he would keep his word with her, of course, and see her again sometime.

There would be no difficulty about that, but otherwise she should retain no influence over him.