Part 34 (1/2)
”What?”
”That's the trouble. One cannot get them to tell what they saw. You have come the nearest to doing so.”
”Only I just missed it by about a mile,” laughed Tad. ”But you do not think it's--how shall I say it?”
Phipps bent a keen glance on the young man. ”You mean through any supernatural agency?”
Tad nodded.
”That's what I wanted to say, but didn't know just how to put it.”
”No, I am too practical to believe any such trash as that. My idea is that some one of a humorous turn of mind is trying to play tricks on people. You say it was a girl's voice?”
”Yes.”
”That's strange. I'm going to look into that.”
”Let's you and I go over there together to to-morrow, then,” urged Tad enthusiastically.
”I'll do it--that is, if there is nothing on hand to detain me. I'll let you know later whether it will be possible or not.”
”Very well. I have been thinking--wondering whether--”
Tad hesitated.
”Wondering what?”
”Whether that rock has anything to do with so many horses and things being stolen in the range.”
Tom Phipps laughed heartily.
”I never thought of it in that light. Don't see how a rock could possibly have any connection with it. Guess we shall have to look for something more human than a pile of stone.”
It was decided, therefore, that on the morrow the two should visit the Ruby Mountain, when they would make a careful examination of the place in an effort to solve the mystery.
But they were destined to delay this trip for some time, and to pa.s.s through some exciting experiences before they solved the mystery of the Ruby Mountain.
CHAPTER XVII
WHEN THE DARK HORSE WON
”Professor, Mr. Munson says there's going to be a roping contest and horse race near here, this afternoon. May we go over to see it?”
asked Ned Rector early on the following morning.
”Well, I don't know about that. Haven't you boys had enough straying from home for a time?”
”We can get some one to go with us and show us the way,” urged Walter.
”Yes, let the lads go,” said Mr. Munson, coming up at that moment.