t. But you boys are quick and
sharp and--well, good luck to you, that's all I can say."

"I'm much obliged to you," answered Dick. "I'll do as you advise."

As he and his chums left the assayer's office they met Tim, who had
returned to the hotel, and, on inquiring, had learned where they had
gone.

"Have a good time?" asked Dick, of his newsboy friend.

"Not so very," replied Tim, rather solemnly.

"Why not?"

"Because I was chasin' after a fellow what called himself Simon
Scardale, and I couldn't catch him."

"Simon Scardale here?" exclaimed Dick.

"That's what he is, and he's on to our game," replied Tim. "Dick, youse
has got to act quick, I guess."

For a few moments Dick was too surprised to know what to say. He began
to see through it now. Simon was a friend of Vanderhoof, and, though he
might not be mixed up in the swindling games, he had, likely, given
information that would prevent the millionaire's son from accomplishing
his object. Dick was in a maze. He was not altogether sure that the
mines were a swindle, but he strongly suspected it. Simon's presence in
the western city seemed to argue that some strange game was about to be
played.

"We must talk this over," decided Dick. "Come on, boys. We'll go back
to the hotel and have a conference. Then we can decide what to do."

In Dick's room the chums went over all the points of the matter. But,
try as they did, they could not see a reason for Simon's presence in
Yazoo City, nor for his remarks to Tim.

"But dat government feller give youse good advice," declared the
newsboy. "Why don't youse go out to de mine? Maybe youse kin git on to
der game. I'm wid youse."

"I believe I will," decided Dick. "Tim, you and Frank and I will go.
Yes, Walter, you and Bricktop had better stay at the hotel," he added,
as he saw a look of disappointment come over the faces of the other two
boys. "Five would be too many, and, by some of us staying here, there
will be less liability of suspicion. We'll make a night trip to the mine
and, if it's at all possible, I'll go down inside."

"Dat's de way to talk!" exclaimed Tim.

Cautiously they made their plans. Dick decided he and his two companions
would walk to the mines, as, if they hired a rig, it would become known
to Smith or Simon, who were probably spying on their actions. Tim
related how he had tried to follow Simon when he rode off on the pony,
but had been unsuccessful.

"It's a nice moonlight night," said