“I’m not in shape to guess conundrums, Barzy,” Frank answered. “What’s the news?”
“Hawkins and his posse have captured Shoup and Geohegan—and Shoup was wearing Lenning’s clothes and riding a sorrel with a white forward foot. How’s that?”
“Bully!” cried Frank, and the next moment he was on his feet with a cheer.
CHAPTER XLV.
RISING HOPES.
The skies were brightening for Jode Lenning. His story of what had happened in the gulch has been borne out by the capture of the road agents and by the discovery that Shoup was wearing Lenning’s clothes and riding Burke’s horse. Blunt was beaming and Lenning was radiant.
“Ye’ve had yer fuss around this rock pile all fer nothin’,” remarked Dolliver.
“Glad of it,” Frank laughed. “Where did Hawkins catch those fellows, Dolliver?”
“On the trail between here and Ophir. Shoup an’ t’other chap are swearin’ by all they’re worth that they don’t know a thing about the holdup, but Burke’s hoss an’ Lenning’s clothes are two things Shoup can’t explain. Hawkins is now trying to get the road agents to tell what they done with the mail bags. They won’t tell. I opine they think they stand a show to dodge the consequences if they keep mum about that missin’ mail.”
“We’ll get the bags to town as soon as possible,” said Frank.