“I hope so!” agreed Jerry.
The boys anxiously awaited the reply to their message, and to their gratification, it came the next day. They were told they might remain, and in a letter that followed a few days later funds were sent to all three, while there were many expressions of concern from those in Cresville concerning the fate of Professor Snodgrass.
“Spare no expense in finding him,” wrote Mr. Slade. “Hire a couple of detectives if necessary.”
“I guess we can do as well at this business as the city detectives,” growled Ned.
His chums agreed with him.
“And we haven’t got to the bottom of the mystery of Munson’s fake leg,” remarked Jerry as, on the afternoon following the receipt of the letters, they were riding together toward a distant part of the ranch.
“No, that’s another secret we have to solve,” agreed Ned. “He said something about riding to town to-day to have the doctor look at it. He’s limping worse than ever.”
“He’ll never do it,” observed Bob.
“Do what?” asked Jerry.
“Let a doctor examine his leg. That would give the fake away right off the bat. That’s why he didn’t want to let the doctor look the time you were hurt, Jerry.”