ne!" he said. "Those folks will learn who's boss here."

"You're clever, Kie. You let those greenies do the hard work while you
watched and then you grab the treasure. I call that smart!"

Kie beamed with satisfaction.

"Here, lend a hand, Ramon, and help me pry open this chest. I know a
man who says he'll give me a fancy price for this treasure. This is my
lucky day."

The cover of the trunk was thrown back and the men stared down into the
greatest array of old clothes and camping equipment they had ever seen.

"Ain't this wonderful!" said Ramon picking up a huge chunk of copper
ore. "That's a valuable specimen. It will bring a fancy price."

Kie Wicks tried to speak, but a choking sound came in his throat.

The rough men beside him knew that for once they had Kie Wicks at their
mercy. They roared with laughter.

"Compliments of Kie Wicks!" shouted Ramon.

Kie made as if to draw his gun, but instead he turned to his horse,
mounted it and rode away.

"They've out-smarted me this time!" he muttered. "But they'd better
watch out!"

As Kie Wicks spurred his horse along the canyon road, he knew that his
days at Saugus were over. He had gone too far. The sheriff would
never stand for a hold-up. Prison threatened him. What was more he
would be the laughing stock of the whole country. Kie Wicks, the man
who had boasted of his cleverness had been outdone by a bunch of girls.

"This place ain't healthy for me, no more," muttered the man. "Me and
Maude will get away, to-night. We'll never stop till we get clear out
of the state. Then we'll be safe."

And on Judge Breckenridge's private train that was taking The
Merriweather Girls and their friend toward their home, Bet would burst
into a peal of laughter from time to time.

"What now, Bet?" asked Enid.

"Oh, I'm thinking of all the fun we've had--and I'm wondering if Kie
Wicks will keep my birds' nests and start a collection," she giggled.

Even the old professor, who had been invited to join the party, had to
chuckle at the thought.

Shirley Williams was gazing from the car window. "Look at that sunset,
girls. Did you ever see anything so beautiful?"

"I'd love to paint it," enthused Bet.

"Then why don't you?" Shirley reproached her. "You brought your color
box and some canvases with you to Arizona and you haven't made a single
picture. I'm ashamed of you!"

"Oh, I'll make up for it this winter at Rockhill School. I'll work
hard.