For some reason the posse had retired to the open air as soon as he left them to go below.

No one knew exactly why, but when one started to go forth the others followed with more or less alacrity.
"Did you see anything ?" demanded the marshal.
"What did old Mrs.Rank look like when she was alive ?" asked Bonner with a beautifully mysterious air.

No one answered; but there was a sudden shifting of feet backward, while an expression of alarmed inquiry came into every face.

"Don't back into that open well," warned the amused young man in the doorway.

Anderson Crow looked sharply behind, and flushed indignantly when he saw that the well was at least fifty feet away.