this
discussion, his head bowed, now looked up, and shook his head in
negation.

"Let's not notify the sheriff," he said. "The minute we bring the
authorities into this, we run the danger of letting our whole story
become known. Then the end which these mysterious enemies of ours
seek will be attained. That is, the government will be drawn into the
situation.

"As to your father, Jack," and Mr. Temple paused, "well, we shall have
to think the matter over pretty carefully before we undertake to do
anything. In the first place, as I have said before, I believe he was
captured in order to make trouble between Mexico and the United
States. Now, here comes a note from his captors demanding that we pay
a ransom of one hundred thousand dollars. How does that fit into my
theory?

"Well, if we appeal to Washington and ask our government to demand Mr.
Hampton's release, there certainly will be trouble. And that, I
believe, is what the enemy counts on us to do. If they really were
after a ransom, and had no other object in view, it is likely they
would not have asked for so big a sum, and also would not have given
us two whole weeks in which to carry out their demands. No, I am
convinced they expect us to go to Washington and make trouble.
Therefore, that is the one thing we must try to avoid doing."

"But, look here, Mr. Temple," said Jack, impulsively and with just the
slightest quiver in his voice, "he's my father."

"Yes, I know, Jack," Mr. Temple said in a sympathetic tone, "and I
know what you're thinking of. You're thinking your father is a
prisoner and ill-treated. And you're saying to yourself that while we
hold back here from appealing to the government, something dreadful
may happen to him. Isn't that so?"

Jack gulped unashamedly, and turned his head away. "Something like
that," he said, in a muffled voice.

The older man dropped a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry too much,
my boy," he said. "We may appeal to Washington, and let the
consequences go hang, if that is the only way to bring back your
father. But we don't want to act too hastily. Let's turn in now and
get a good night's sleep. Then in the morning we'll decide on
something definite."

It had been a long discussion, and Bob and Frank were content to do as
Mr. Temple proposed. Jack, perforce, agreed, although the strain of
the last few days, which he had carried alone, was beginning to tell
on him and he yearned for instant action. He showed the