“How in the world did you do it?” queried the perplexed general manager.
“It was a case of blind luck,” said Ballard, and, for the second time, he and Clancy explained how they had found the horses in the chaparral, and had later been fortunate enough to recover the bag of bullion.
“Well, of all the darn-fool plays I ever heard of,” grunted Hawkins, “that takes the banner. Why, you boys didn’t even know there’d been a robbery here.”
“Didn’t even know we’d got hold of bullion, at first,” laughed Ballard, “and after looking at one of the bars at that.”
“It’s one of those things,” said the overjoyed Mr. Bradlaugh, “which could happen about once in a thousand times.”
“Once in a million times,” declared Burke. “Merriwell, you’re lucky to have two such fellows for pards.”
“That’s what we’ve been trying to impress upon him for a long time,” remarked Ballard plaintively. “Now I guess he knows what a fine pair of star actors we are.”
“You’re all to the mustard, both of you!” cried the delighted Merriwell.
“All that’s left for me to do, I suppose,” growled Hawkins, “is to find Lenning and Shoup. This business is being wound up in short order, Mr. Bradlaugh.”