For many years Oldring's mysterious entrance and exit to Deception Pass had been all-absorbing topics to sage-riders.
All at once the dog put an end to Venters's pondering.

Ring sniffed the air, turned slowly in his tracks with a whine, and then growled.

Venters wheeled.

Two horsemen were within a hundred yards, coming straight at him.

One, lagging behind the other, was Oldring's Masked Rider.
Venters cunningly sank, slowly trying to merge into sage-brush.