Luke and Van Allen rode side by side with Micah and Nils close behind. The big man scanned the road, pointing out the traces of the men they were tracking, and Van Allen always concurred. "You're a pretty fair tracker, Alfred."

"I often go hunting with my son, Rick." Van Allen fiddled with his reins. "I've never been out after such big game, though. I can hardly believe what has happened. I've always been careful about kidnappers in the big city. I never thought it would be a risk out here."

"We have our share of outlaws," said Luke. "We just haven't had a kidnapping for ransom before."

"No, that's a new one, Lucas boy," Micah put in. "All the more reason to make an example that it won't be tolerated."

Luke pulled up his horse and got down to scan the ground. "They left the road here." He pointed. "I think they probably made for that old line shack." He got back on his horse. "Let's move!"

The light was going when they reached the line shack and dismounted, approaching cautiously. Luke motioned for the others to wait, then crept forward until he could look in the window. For a long moment he stood there, then he straightened up and pushed his hat back on his head. Perplexed, Micah and Nils joined him, followed by Van Allen, who burst into laughter when he saw what was inside. Mark and Rick were sitting at the table, playing checkers, while the two kidnappers lay against the wall roped like calves. The men went inside.

Mark looked up. "Pa!" He jumped into his father's arms.

Luke held his boy close for a moment, then put him down gently. "Son, what happened here?"

Rick had run over to his father and was hugging him but he turned around at Luke's question. "May I answer that, Mark?"

"Sure, go right ahead."

"These scoundrels captured me as well," Rick began.

His father cut in. "And just what were you doing out here to be captured? Didn't I tell you to stay at the hotel?"

"No, Father," said Rick blandly. "You asked me if I understood that you wanted me to stay at the hotel, and I told you that I did." Van Allen looked up as if praying for strength while his son went on. "I picked up Mark's horse and followed you out of town. When I caught up to where I could see you, I left the road. I meant to stay out of sight, but I got lost and blundered right into this hideout."

"It's not a hideout, Rick," said Mark. "It's a line shack."

"What is a line shack?"

"I'll tell you later. Go on!"

Rick nodded. "One of them sprang at me and caught Blue Boy before I could resist. He brought me in here, where Mark convinced them it would be unwise to harm the son of the rifleman." He bowed to his friend.

"That's all very well and good," said Van Allen, "but how is it that they are tied up, asleep, while you are free?"

Mark said eagerly, "When they tied Rick up they didn't check his pockets. You know how I always keep my knife in my pocket, Pa?" Luke nodded. "Well, they had us side by side and they weren't really watching us, so I was able to get my knife out of Rick's pocket and I cut him loose."

The adults were all trading glances. "How did you boys get the drop on them?" asked Micah.

"Oh, that was no bother at all," said Rick. "They started a pot of coffee and went out to check on their horses. While they were gone, I put this in the coffee pot." He held up a small bottle.

For the second time Van Allen burst into laughter. Luke took the bottle and read it, then started laughing himself. "Nils, Micah, look at this. Laudanum!"

Van Allen took the bottle. "Yes, Lucas. I always have some with me when I travel. I frequently have trouble sleeping."

"And I brought it with me hoping for just such an opportunity," said Rick.

Nils shook his head. "I'm surprised they didn't notice the taste in the coffee."

Mark grinned. "You wouldn't be if you saw how they made it. They put in enough grounds for two pots and then they boiled it and left it cooking on the stove. We could have put a skunk in it and they probably wouldn't have noticed."

"After they went to sleep, I freed Mark and we tied them up," said Rick. "Mark said that you would be along soon, Mr McCain, so we decided to wait for you."

"Why, you boys have done splendidly!" said Van Allen warmly. "Don't you think so, Lucas?"

"Oh, yes, splendidly." Luke looked narrowly at his son. "You didn't think to change your clothes back?"

Rick answered that. "Mr McCain, Mark and I started out to have dinner with you and my father dressed like this and that's exactly what we're going to do!"