Part 41 (1/2)
”Will you return my horses and wagon?”
”Either that, or pay for the turnout.”
”Then maybe I'd better go to town. I can say I stopped off at a tavern an' sumbuddy drove off with my rig.”
”Very well,” returned the detective. ”But, mind you, if you dare to play me foul--”
”I won't! I won't!”
”Then you can go. But wait. Boys, let him stay here an hour. Then he can go.”
So it was arranged, and a few minutes later James Monday was on the seat of the wagon and driving off in the style of the old man.
”He is certainly a good actor,” murmured Tom, gazing after the government official. ”I declare, the two look like two peas!”
”That's a mighty risky thing to do,” observed Songbird. ”If Sack Todd and his cronies discover the trick they'll stop at nothing to get square.”
”Trust Mr. Monday to take care of himself,” responded Tom. ”I am only hoping he will be able to aid Sam and d.i.c.k.”
”Oh, we all hope that, Tom.”
The boys sat down on some partly dried rocks and began to ask the old man about himself. But Bill Cashaw was too much disturbed mentally to give them much satisfaction.
”Well, by hemlock!” he burst out presently.
”What's up now?” queried Tom, and all of the others looked equally interested.
”If I didn't go an' forgit all about it.”
”Forget what?”
”This letter I had fer Sack. An' that was o' prime importance, too, so the trainman said.”
As the old man spoke, he brought forth a letter which he had had stowed away in a pocket of his s.h.i.+rt.
”What's in the letter?” asked Fred.
”I don't know. It's sealed up.”
”I think we'd be justified in breaking it open,” put in Songbird.
”Those rascals are outlaws!”
”No! no! don't break it open!” burst out Tom, and s.n.a.t.c.hed the communication from the old man's hand. ”I've got a better plan.”
”What plan?” came from his friends.
”Didn't you say that I looked like your son Bud?” asked Tom of Bill Cashaw.
”I did.”
”Has Bud ever been to Red Rock ranch?”