nvelope and held up a sheet of paper which was
entirely blank, except for eight words and a signature written in the
middle of the page. The words were:

"Introducing Mr. John Johnson. He'll tell the story."

The signature was that of the famous criminal lawyer who had induced the
boys to undertake the mission to the Great Divide.

"It won't take very long for me to read the instructions," Will laughed,
as the other boys gathered around him. "It seems to be up to you to tell
us what we want to know!"

"Yes, that's the idea!" replied Johnson. "Mr. Horton explained to me
that he didn't care to put what he had to say to you into writing. But
perhaps we'd better get rid of these imitation fly-cops," he added,
nodding his head toward the two Chicago detectives. "We don't want them
hanging around the camp while we are making our plans."

Katz and Cullen saw that they were being regarded with suspicion and at
once came forward to where the boys stood.

"I've been talking the matter of the robbery over with Cullen," Katz
said, with a smile intended to be conciliating, "and he says that he's
heard of this boy before, and that he's a noted thief. And so," the
detective continued, "I'm very glad to be able to apologize to you for
anything I might have said at a time when I was excited over my loss. I
am satisfied now that you boys are friendly to me, and I sincerely hope
that we'll often meet while we are in the hills."

Tommy was about to make some angry reply, as the insincerity of the man
was plainly discernible, but Will gave him a nudge in the back which
caused him to change his mind.

"And now," Cullen began, "that everything is satisfactorily explained,
perhaps we'd better be on our way!"

"That's a fact!" exclaimed Katz. "I'm very much obliged to the boys for
their friendly shelter and their well-cooked meals, and I hope they'll
all come and partake of our hospitality as soon as we make permanent
camp. We'll take steps to let you know where we are," he added, as the
two turned toward their burros and led off to the north.

Tommy could not give over the thought of landing an irritating
observation as the men walked away by the side of their beasts.

"Remember," he cried, "that the two train robbers and the cowboy
viligance committee went, in that direction last night! You fellows
would better watch out, or you'll get mixed up with hold-up men!"

Katz turned an angry face toward the boy, muttered something to hi