Colonel Hawtrey seemed puzzled. He turned to Lenning.
“Explain that, will you, Jode?” he requested. “Why didn’t you reach the Wells day before yesterday?”
“Well, sir,” Lenning answered, “we were about halfway between town and Tinaja Wells when we found out that Merriwell and his crowd were camped at the place we wanted.”
“Ah! And what did you do then?”
“I had the boys make temporary camp in a side cañon while I—er—went back to Gold Hill.”
“That,” said Frank, “would bring you in Gold Hill night before last—the night of the robbery?”
Lenning reddened and looked confused.
“Why,” he faltered, “I reckon it would.”
“What was your business in Gold Hill, Lenning?”
“I don’t know,” snapped Lenning, “that you’ve got any call to pump me.”