gnature, and he very promptly identified it."

"Let me see that order."

The agent produced an order written on the note paper of the hotel.

Ted stared at it incredulously.

"It looks like my writing, but I didn't write it. I'll swear to that.
Look at this, Stella. Is that my hand?"

Stella looked at the paper studiously for a minute or two, then handed
it back.

"A casual look at it would deceive me, but you did not write it. It
lacks several of your individualisms, and has others that are not
yours."

"That is right. This order is a forgery. I did not write it. The
express-robber syndicate is getting bolder every minute. They'll come in
and steal you some day," Ted said to the agent. "Notify your company
that my car has been stolen, and that I want it restored to me."

"Great Scott!" was all the agent could say.

"What sort of looking chap was it that presented the order?" asked Ted.

"Well, he was an ordinary-looking chap. He had on a--"

"Checked suit?"

"Yes, sir. How did you know?"

"Checkers has come into his own at last," said Ted, turning to Stella.

CHAPTER XXII.

TED IN THE TOILS.

The following morning an impressive cavalcade set out for the ranch of
Colonel Billings, led by the genial owner himself. Behind him came Ted
and Stella, between whom rode little Dick.

Then came Mrs. Graham in a well-appointed carriage, and acting as her
outriders and escorts were the boys. When they arrived at the ranch,
after passing numerous herds of fine cattle on the way, they found one
of the finest ranch houses in the West.

It was a great, white modern structure that could be seen for miles
across the level prairie, which showed hardly a single rise or
depression in all the miles they had ridden.

None of the guests whom the colonel had told Ted would be present
accompanied the party. The colonel explained this by saying that other
matters had detained them in town, and that he preferred to permit them
to follow, rather than defer the pleasure of being their escort.

This was said with so much sincerity that Ted could not doubt him. Mrs.
Graham and Stella were ensconced in a large apartment on the first
floor, with large windows opening upon a wide veranda.

Both expressed themselves as delighted with their room, much to the
gratification of their host. The broncho boys found quarters in the
spacious second floor, which had as many rooms as the average hotel.

"Well, what do you think o