he said that
he's looking for the camp we have just blundered into."

Katz stepped back as if annoyed at the statement, and finally drew
Cullen away to one side, where they engaged in a whispered conversation.

In the meantime, the messenger advanced toward Will and extended a
sealed envelope. He was a well-built young fellow with a clean-shaven
face which gave every indication of intelligence and determination.

"I guess you're the boys I'm looking for," he said, with a smile, "I'm
John Johnson, of Chicago, special messenger at this time for Mr.
Horton."

"We're glad to see you," Will answered, shaking the young man's hand
heartily. "We have been waiting for instructions, and, besides," he
continued, "this cheap skate that you found here is trying to make us
trouble over something which took place in the camp last night."

"You think he's a cheap skate, do you?" Johnson asked, with a
significant smile. "Well, I don't think anything about it. I know it.
That's Joe Katz, one of the rankest plain-clothes policemen on the
Chicago force! The fellow who came in with me is Ed. Cullen, another
imitation detective. Now tell me what took place last night."

Will related the story of the arrival of the boy and of the claim made
by Katz in the morning. He explained how the detective had threatened
them all when the loss of his property was discovered. Also, how he had
renewed his threats when he believed that he would have the backing of
both newcomers. Johnson smiled at the recital.

"Now, about this boy," he said, without referring to the two detectives
or the threats. "I wish you would describe him to me as accurately as
possible. Tell me exactly how he looked and how he talked."

Will gave as complete a description of the boy as possible, and also
repeated the account the lad had given of himself. Johnson threw back
his head and laughed until the echoes came back from the mountains.

"Well, boys," he said, "you seem to have lighted in a hornet's nest the
first jump out of the box. And so the kid stole the detective's badge
and weapons and money, did he?" he went on, with another roar of
laughter. "That's about the best thing I've heard yet!"

"I don't see anything funny about it!" replied Will.

"You will directly," replied Johnson. "Read your instructions, and then
I'll tell you all about this boy, and all about these two imitation
detectives. Then you'll see how funny this incident is."

Will opened the sealed e