us.

"I hope I haven't made a mess of it," he reasoned. "I wonder where
Sam and Dick are?"

Had he had an opportunity, he would have left the room and taken a
look around the place, but the strange men were there, and they
evidently had their eyes on him.

Tom had been sitting quietly for five minutes, thinking matters over,
when a side door opened and a young man smoking a cigarette came in.
On seeing Tom, he stared in wonder and allowed his cigarette to drop
to the floor.

"Tom Rover! How did you get here?"

It was Dan Baxter, as impudent and hard-faced as ever. He came a step
closer and fairly glared at Tom.

For one brief instant, Tom's self-possession deserted him. Then he
recovered and stared boldly at Baxter.

"Say, what you a-talkin' about?" he drawled.

"Eh?"

"What you a-talkin' about? I don't know you--never see you before."

"Well, if that ain't the limit!" burst out the bully. "You don't know
me!"

"An' my name ain't Tim Drover," went on Tom, purposely mispronouncing
the name.

"Go to grass, Tom Rover! You can't play any game on me. I know you
too well, even in that outfit."

At that moment Sack Todd returned. He was surprised to find Dan Baxter
talking to Tom.

"Do you know Bud Cashaw?" he questioned.

"Bud Cashaw? Who is he?"

"This is Bud."

"Not much! Do you know who this is? Tom Rover, the brother I was
telling you about."

"Tom Rover!" almost shouted the owner of Red Rock ranch. "Are you
certain of this?"

"Yes. Didn't I go to school with him? I know him as well as I know
my own father."

Sack Todd glared at Tom and gave him a close inspection. Then he
shook the youth fiercely.

"So this is your style, eh?" he snarled. "First your brothers come
to spy on us, and now you! If I had my way--" he stopped short. "Where
did you get that letter, answer me!"

"Wasn't it all right?" drawled Tom. He scarcely knew how to act.

"Answer me, Rover. I want no more beating about the bush."

"It belongs to Bill Cashaw. Isn't he here?"

"Ha!" Sack Todd looked around. "Come here," he cried to his men.
"Watch this boy and don't let him get away under any circumstances.
I must find Bill Cashaw! Perhaps it isn't Bill, after all!"

One of the men came forward and caught hold of Tom, while Dan Baxter
also ranged by the prisoner's side. To attempt to break away would
have been useless, and Tom did not try it.

"You'll catch it now," said the bully maliciously.

"Where are Sam and Dick?