“Not far from that, Frank, and valued at nearly fifty thousand dollars, counting it at about twenty dollars to the ounce, and twelve ounces to the pound,” replied the other.
“That looks queer,” mused Frank.
“In what way?” asked Bob, quickly; while both the others listened eagerly.
“Well, you told me the gold was in three sacks, didn’t you?” Frank went on.
“Yes, it was, Frank.”
“Then if these two fellows were carrying it all, one of them would have to tote two of the sacks, wouldn’t he?” the boy demanded.
“It stands to reason he would, because they couldn’t divide the third bag,” Riley admitted, readily enough.
“All right. Now when a fellow staggers along carrying one hundred and thirty pounds on his back he would be sure to sink into the soft ground much deeper than when he only had half that much, eh, Mr. Riley?” Frank continued.
The man gave utterance to an exclamation; while the experienced trailer dropped once more to the ground.
“The boy’s right, Riley,” the last individual exclaimed, almost immediately. “The cross tracks are as fresh as if made only a little time ago; while the others are old, but if anything, the new ones are not as deep as the first!”