Part 32 (1/2)

”Maybe he went back to that garage,” he suggested, pointing to a s in the rear

”Look around if you think anybody is there,” said the first e, which stood open As they did this one of theof this?” he de behind a door

”I'll tell you as soon as they go away,” was the answer of the former bully of Colby Hall ”Don't let theht, they sha'n't come in,” was the ain, to resue and peered inside, the four Rovers walked again to the shack Theleered at them

”Didn't find the fellow you were after, did you?” he queried

”No,” answered Jack shortly He did not like the appearance of the man in the least

”Want to see hiood thrashi+ng--that's what I want to do!”

exclaiht turn hi in this town”

”We haven't any police here We run things to suit ourselves”

”What do you want to lick him for?” questioned the other man

”He threw pepper in htn't to have done,” returned Jack, and then turned back to the hotel, and his cousins followed

”Those two men were on the hotel veranda e first went there,” said Randy ”I noticed them, and I did not like their looks at all”

”Do you knohat I think?” returned Jack ”I believe Gabe Werner was in that shack all the tiiven those fellows the tip They both tried to appear cool, but they were both flustered”

”But what can Gabe Werner be doing in this out-of-the-way place?”

demanded Fred

”He probably ca fellows have drifted to the oil fields just as years ago they drifted to the gold fields They ga to strike it rich It's a great te job at ho to school,” put in Andy

”True, Andy But Gabe hih to do as he pleases Evidently froer control hiot back to the hotel they found dick Rover looking for them He listened in surprise to what they had to say

”It certainly is odd if that Gabe Werner is here,” he said ”And ht--otherwise that felloouldn't have taken such pains to hide himself Well, if he is here, you must watch that he doesn't play any more tricks on you”

A fair supper was had at the hotel During the meal both Fred and Andy noticed that the twothe Lori their Uncle dick closely

”They seem to want to know all about our business,” said Fred, whenthis to his uncle

”Oh, that's the case in every oil town orcaet a lead, as they call it, on what is going to happen next If they think a fellow may strike it rich in some particular location they rush after hiet claims as close to him as possible”