We'll take our revolvers. That will be sufficient."

"Now, Tad, be prudent," begged the professor. "I know you have a level
head or I should not permit you to get out of my sight under the
circumstances."

"We will be prudent, sir. Come on, Ned; we mustn't waste a moment now.
If we are seen to leave the camp we'll fail."

For answer Ned swung himself into his saddle, after first having taken
the rifle from the saddle boot and fastened it to one of the packs.

"Don't pitch the tent yet. We must be in marching order," directed
Butler, after leaping into his saddle. "And don't worry about us, for
we'll be all right."

Nodding to Ned Tad started off at a fast gallop. But despite Tad's
cheerfulness he realized that he had taken upon himself a serious
piece of work, one that might be the death of both. Still, he was
nothing daunted. He was determined to go to the bottom of the mystery,
whatever the cost might be to himself.

Tad knew also that he could depend upon Ned Rector, for Ned was brave
and resourceful, a boy who would keep his head in an emergency.

They made the trip to the mountains without incident. There Tad pulled
up for a conference.

"Now tell me what your plan is?" said Ned.

"First we will ride on a little further along the base here. I see a
place where I think we can hide our ponies. I don't want to go back
to the point where we first started to make camp. That is the place
where our enemy will be looking for us first. But when he gets there
we'll be somewhere in the vicinity."

Ned wheeled his pony without further comment and followed Tad at a slow
trot along the base of the foothills. The boys were engaged on a more
desperate mission than they knew.

CHAPTER III

IN A BAD MAN'S POWER

Having secreted their ponies in a dense growth of scrub oak, Tad laid
out his plan as follows:

"You, Ned, will go straight in from here until you've got about a
quarter of a mile directly inland. When you have done so turn due west.
I don't think you can lose your way for you can see out every little
while and thus get your bearings."

"Where are you going?"

"Back to the point where we first decided to make camp. I shall have
easier going than you will, but I shall be in more risk."

"What's the rest?" asked Ned with a short laugh.

"It is my idea to close in on the right fork of the stream there in the
foothills. I'll come up from the west and you from the east. In that
wa