rdly know he was the same person. I think he
is really on the right track at last."

"It seems too wonderful to be true," was Fred's comment.

Dan Baxter was much interested in meeting Harold Bird, and while the
others were talking in one part of the deck he called the young
Southerner to one side.

"Mr. Bird, you know who I am, and I suppose you have no use for me,"
began the former bully. "I am sorry I went in with those men who
stole your gasoline launch. If I had my choice again I shouldn't do
such a thing. I am very sorry, and I am glad you got your boat back.
But I want to speak to you about something else. I was going to write
you a letter when I got the chance, but I'd rather tell you what I know."

"What you know?" repeated Harold Bird, somewhat puzzled.

"Yes. Since I have been traveling with Gasper Pold and Sack Todd I
have learned a great deal, and much of it concerns yourself and your
father."

"My father!" gasped the young Southerner.

"Yes."

"What do you know of him? Is he alive?"

"I think he is--at least Gasper Pold said he was."

"Pold! What does he know about it? Where is my father?"

"As near as I know, your father is in Mexico, at a place called
Troxapocca. He is somewhat out of his mind, and Pold told Sack Todd
he was working around a hotel there, doing all sorts of odd jobs. He
goes by the name of Bangs--why, I don't know."

"Is it possible! I must look into this without delay."

"And then there is something else I want to tell you. I heard Todd
and Pold talking about it when they thought they were alone. Todd
accused Pold of having killed an old man, a hunter, in the woods,
because the old hunter had vowed to expose one of Pold's lottery
swindles. It came out in the talk that Pold had really done the deed
and had put the dead hunter on a rock, where he was shot at by your
father. Your father didn't hit the body, but he thought he did, and
thinking he had killed this old man was what made your father crazy."

"I know it! I know it!" cried Harold Bird. "What a vile deed to do!
And did Pold admit his guilt?"

"He did, but he warned Sack Todd to keep quiet about it. That was
one of the things that turned me against that gang. They were altogether
too bad for me. From that moment on I was sorry I had gone in with them."

"This fairly staggers me, Baxter. You--you must help me prove
this--after I have found my father, or before."

"I will, Mr. Bird--I'll do all I can to make thing