As though he expected to find something there he looked toward a little timber grove to the right of the house, far back toward the rimming hills.

At the edge of the grove he saw a horse, saddled and bridled.
A quick change came over Nyland.

The blood left his face, and his eyes took on an expression of cold cunning.
Dismounting, he hitched his horse to one of the rails of the corral fence.

With his back turned to the house, his head cocked to one side, as though he were intent on the knot he was tying in the reins, he furtively watched the house.
He took a long time to tie the reins to the rail, but the time was well spent, for, before he finished, he saw a man's face at one of the kitchen windows.
It was not Dale.

He was convinced of that, even though he got only a flashing glance at the face.
Danger threatened Peggy, or she had succumbed to it.