Then, keeping well in the shadow of a belt of shrub-oaks, he skirted the long lesser terraces of the casa, intending to approach the house by way of the old garden and corral.
A drizzling rain, occasionally driven by the wind into long, misty, curtain-like waves, obscured the prospect and favored his design.

He reached the low adobe wall of the corral in safety; looking over he could detect, in spite of the darkness, that a number of the horses were of alien brands, and even recognized one or two from the Santa Inez district.

The vague outline of buggies and carryalls filled the long shed beside the stables.

There WAS company at the casa--so far Susy was right! Nevertheless, lingering still by the wall of the old garden for the deepening of night, his nervous feverishness was again invaded and benumbed by sullen memories.

There was the opening left by the old grille in the wall, behind which Mrs.Peyton stood on the morning when he thought he was leaving the ranch forever; where he had first clasped her in his arms, and stayed.