at money lay around loose,"
was Andy Jimson's comment, and he nodded toward the piles of bank bills.

"One of the men just brought them up, and I hadn't time to put them
away," explained the owner of the ranch. "Besides, I didn't think
there were spies around."

"Maybe there are more of them, Sack."

"That's so!" ejaculated Sack Todd. He turned to the boys: "Have you
any friends near?"

"That is for you to find out," answered Dick. "You can be sure of
one thing, though," he added. "If you don't let us go, you will get
into serious trouble."

"There was a big crowd of 'em on that houseboat," put in Jimson.

"I know there was a crowd--I met 'em some days ago. We'll march these
off and then look around and see if there are others," continued the
owner of Red Rock ranch.

As it would have been useless to struggle, the boys did not attempt
to get away. Both Sack Todd and Jimson were heavily armed, and Dick
and Sam felt that they would shoot upon the slightest provocation.

The owner of the ranch uttered a shrill whistle, and in a moment two
men came running out of the dining-room of the ranch. Each carried a gun.

"What's wanted, boss?" they asked.

"We have captured two spies," answered Sack Todd.

"Spies!"

"Yes. We want you to place them down below and then come and follow
us. We are going to see if there are any more of them around."

The two men placed their guns over their backs and took hold of Sam
and Dick.

"Don't let them slip you," added the owner of the ranch. "I reckon
they're a pretty slick pair."

"They shan't slip us; eh, Spud?"

"Nary a slip, Scutty," returned the second new-comer.

"Then you don't intend to let us go?" asked Dick.

"No."

"This is a high-handed proceeding."

"Is it? Well, down here, we sometimes take the law into our own
hands," chuckled the owner of Red Rock ranch.

"Then, if the law ever gets hold of you, it will go so much harder
with you," said Sam.

"Bah! Do you suppose I am going to argue with a kid like you?" growled
Sack Todd. "Take 'em below," he said, turning to his men.

There was no help for it, as others were coming to the scene. As the
boys marched into the ranch, they came face to face with Dan Baxter.

"Dick Rover!" gasped the bully. "And Sam! What does this mean?"

"So you know these fellows?" said one of the men.

"Of course I do. I was telling Sack Todd about them. I used to go to
school with them. What are they doing here?"

"The boss