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They soon came upon the object of their search. What they found was a smouldering camp-fire. "The camp is deserted," groaned Tad. Not a person save themselves was within sight or sound. Professor Zepplin, too, had disappeared. "Well, doesn't that beat all!" marveled Tad. "Certainly does," agreed Ned. "Yes, but I don't understand what does this mean?" exclaimed Walter.
"I suppose I should introduce myself before matters go any further," smiled the newcomer. "I know you, but you do not know me. You are the Pony Rider Boys. I am Captain Billy McKay of the Rangers." Stacy uttered a shrill laugh, whereat the captain shot an inquiring glance at him. "You -you are -are Captain McKay?" stammered Professor Zepplin. "Yes.
"This is an instance in which the punitive expedition must go through." Whack! Whack! That stick played a tattoo that made Stacy sore in more senses than one. Instead of burrowing deeper into the cedar boughs, he got up hastily. In his desperation he seized the Professor's feet, giving a mighty tug at them. "Here, stop that!" protested Professor Zepplin, laughing.
Professor Zepplin halted his pony sharply and turning in his saddle glanced anxiously back toward his charges. "What is it?" stammered Rector. "I don't know," answered Tad Butler. "It's something awful, whatever it is." "Have no fear, young men. I know what that sound is. There is no danger here where we are, for " The Professor did not complete his sentence.
We're not that kind." The miner started to reply. "Don't you open your mouth or I shall forget myself and slap your face. Thieves!" Professor Zepplin struggled to master his emotions. "Thieves! This is too much. You tell us that if we are here to-night you will make matters lively for us. If it will accommodate you any we will remain right here. But we should be on our way.
"All hands come over to my shack," glowed Tom Phipps. "I want to hear about this mystery. Thought you were riding a pony, Professor Zepplin?" "He was," laughed Dick Munson. "Some other people wanted the animal more than he did and helped themselves." At this point, Walter, who was staying in another cabin, having heard the noise, had hurried over and joined the little party.
"I'm a pretty good dodger already or I shouldn't be here at this minute," answered the fat boy pompously. "Where did they take the prisoner? Are you informed as to that?" asked the captain. "They took him to El Paso, I believe," replied Professor Zepplin. "I thought you were aware of what had been done." "I got wind of something of the sort.
What's yours?" Professor Zepplin introduced himself and the boys, which Conway acknowledged by polite bows. The man was easy in manner, and his smiling face led the boys to warm to him at once -all save Tad Butler, who, without appearing to do so, was observing the visitor keenly. The man was slight, almost boyish in figure.
But Professor Zepplin advised them to remain where they were and get the fire going in case Lige had failed to find the pack train. He no doubt would bring food of some kind with him. The fire would be ready and thus no time would be lost in preparing the first meal of the day, which, in this case, would be breakfast, dinner and supper all in one.
I know what you fellows are up to. You may think you can fool me, but I've been in these parts too long to be an easy mark. It's nobody's business whether we are in search of gold or whether we are up here for our health. Whatever our business is, we don't propose to have a lot of folks sticking their noses into it." "What do you propose that we shall do?" asked Professor Zepplin.
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