matter now?" demanded Will.

"Why did you tell that fellow we were from Detroit?"

"Because he lied to me!" was the rather indignant reply.

Sandy grinned and looked the question he did not ask.

"He told me he was from Denver," Will went on, "and Tommy says he's a
Chicago detective. The kid says he saw a detective badge under the
fellow's lapel. And I guess Tommy knows a detective badge," the boy
continued with a wink. "I should think he would after the fun he's had
with Chicago detectives, and the times he's been chased by them."

"You don't suppose he's come on here to pinch one of us, do you?" asked
Sandy. "If he has, we'll pitch him into the stream that takes the
longest road to Cape Horn."

"Of course not!" answered Will. "For all I know he may be the messenger
sent by Mr. Horton."

"Then why should he lie about his home city?" asked Sandy.

"I don't know," answered Will. "He may be the messenger and he may not
be. If he is a messenger, he's a fool, because he ought to know without
further investigation that we're the boys he set out to find. If he
isn't a messenger, he's a charter member of the Ananias club or Tommy's
very much mistaken."

"I don't believe he's a messenger," Sandy answered and the two went out
to the fire together.

"I have heard a great many stories of robbery and murder in this
country," the boys heard Katz saying to Tommy, "but up to this time I
have seen no unlawful acts committed."

"Oh, but they have a stage hold-up or some scrape of that kind every
week or two!" replied Tommy with a wink at Will. "We remained over at
Green River a couple of days and heard a good many stories about highway
robbery. There is said to be gold in these mountains," the boy
continued, "and there is also said to be a band of brigands who lie in
wait for treasure hunters."

Katz appeared deeply interested in what the boy was saying. In fact he
seemed rather excited, too, and the boys noticed that he reached out one
hand to stroke the gun, which lay near his side, as he listened.

Sandy nudged George in the side and whispered:

"I'll bet Tommy's got him scared half to death!"

"I guess that's what the kid's telling him these stories for!" George
ventured. "He's always up to tricks like that."

While the boys worked about the camp preparing beds for the night and
clearing away the remains of the supper Tommy remained close to the side
of the trench, asking of his experiences on the way in and telli