Part 31 (2/2)

Tad did not see, but his mind was too full of his own troubles to permit him to interest it deeply in the subject of the Ruby Mountain.

Continuing on their journey, the searchers eventually rode into the Red Star camp. By this time the entire camp was interested in what it was pleased to call ”the man hunt.” Somehow they were unable to free their minds of the idea that the disappearance of the members of the Pony Rider party was due to the mysterious band that had been terrorizing that part of the country for a long time.

Tom Phipps, a.s.sistant superintendent of the mine, had awaited the return of his rescue party with an impatience that he made no effort to conceal. He met them, mounted on his pony, as they entered the mine property. At first he was inclined to make the men turn about and go over the ground again, but after learning from the leader of the party the precautions they had taken, he decided that further search to the north would be futile.

What to do next he did not know, and in the absence of Mr. Munson, who had not yet returned, he was considering sending another party out to cover the territory south of the mining camp.

Stacy Brown had come in with his guide and the mules, and having satisfied his appet.i.te, was in as good humor as usual. If he worried about the disappearance of his companions, he kept his trouble well to himself. Nevertheless he was waiting for Tad and the rescue party when they rode in.

”h.e.l.lo, Chunky, any news?” called Tad on espying him.

Stacy shook his head.

”Have you any?” asked Chunky.

”No. We found where Ned had been, but we didn't see anything of him.”

”That's too bad.”

”Yes, you do seem to feel sad over it. I believe they are all right, however. Mr. McCormick, who has charge of this party, thinks so too.

He believes they have succeeded in getting out of the mountains.”

”So do I,” cut in Tom Phipps. ”Otherwise you could not have missed them.”

”Yes, sir. But what would you advise doing now?”

”Should we hear nothing from them by morning I'll start a party for the open country to the west, and send another through the mountains south of here. I do not believe there will be much use in doing so to-night. Come over to my shack, you and your friend Brown, and we will talk the matter over while we are having our supper.”

”Thank you. I guess I am pretty hungry. Has Mr. Munson returned?”

”No. I cannot imagine what is keeping him.”

Turning his pony over to Mr. McCormick, Tad and Chunky followed the young mining engineer to his one-roomed cabin where the host had prepared an appetizing meal.

It was Tad's second meal in the place. This time, however, he found himself too much disturbed to eat heartily. His appet.i.te seemed to leave him all at once.

”As I was saying just after you arrived,” began Mr. Phipps--

”Hark! What was that?”

Tad raised a hand for silence.

”I heard nothing.”

”It was somebody shouting, I am sure,” answered Tad in a voice of tense expectancy. ”Yes, there it is again.”

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