ly.

"We can't promise anything until Mr. Dottery gets back," said Chet. "But
if you know anything about our uncle you had better speak out, if you
wish us to do anything at all for you."

"I won't say a word," growled the colored man.

Chet bit his lip in vexation.

"Don't you know what it is to have us able to speak a word for you?"
said Paul. "Supposing we let Jack Blowfen take you over to the next camp
and tell the men that you are a downright horse thief? Would you fancy
that?"

Jeff Jones began to tremble. He knew what Paul meant--that he would be
lynched inside the hour. In that section of the country, at that time,
horse stealing was considered almost as bad as murder.

"No! no! doan let him take me down ter de Fork!" howled Jeff Jones.
"Anyt'ing but dat, boys!"

"Well, you, had better talk, then," returned Paul, severely.

"I doan know much, but I'll tell yo' all I do know," said the prisoner,
after a short pause, "and yo' is ter do de best yo' can fo' me, promise
me dat?"

"We will," said Chet. He was very impatient for Jeff Jones to proceed.

"Well, den, Captain Grady has been a-spottin' yo' uncle fer seberal
weeks--eber sence he got Massah Winthrop ter leave San Francisco."

"Got him to leave San Francisco?" queried Paul.

"Yes. I doan know how de t'ing was done, but he got yo' uncle ter leave
de city an' now he's tryin' ter make him gib up de secret ob a mine, or
sumfin like dat."

"Gracious!" burst from Chet's lips. "That explains it all. Uncle Barnaby
must be in Captain Grady's power."

"And by getting us out of the ranch he thought to make us leave the
neighborhood," added Paul. "Do you know," he went on, "I believe he is
at the head of a band who wish to obtain entire control of this
section."

"I don't doubt it, Paul," Chet turned to the prisoner. "Where is our
uncle now?"

"Dat I can't say."

"Captain Grady must know."

"Suah he does."

"Then we'll make him tell, never fear," Chet began to walk up and down.
"I wish Mr. Dottery would come back."

"I hear somebody down the road," said Paul as he walked to the door. "It
must be the two coming back now."

Paul was right. There was a clatter beyond in the dark, and a moment
later Caleb Dottery appeared, followed by Jack Blowfen.

"Couldn't catch 'em in the dark," said Dottery, as he strode into the
house and dropped into a rude but comfortable chair. "But thank fortune,
the stock is safe!"

"Slick rascals, Mangle and Nodley,