"And it sure has," added Andy, as he sampled the pastry.
The meal went on, with gaiety and laughter lending their aids to digestion, and when it was about over Mr. Thornton came in.
"Well, boys!" he exclaimed, "I see that you got here all right."
"Yes," replied Andy and Frank, while Billy asked:
"Did you meet those engineers, Uncle Richfield?"
"Engineers? No. What do you mean?"
"Why, when we drove out we saw a wagon back of us. It seemed to be following us—I mean the men in it did—and then they turned off by the short cut that leads to the dam. Archie thought maybe they were the men you sent for to inspect the concrete work, to see if it was all right. Were they?"
For a moment the ranch owner did not answer, and then he said slowly:
"No, Billy, they weren't. And you say they went out to the dam?"
"Well, they headed out on the cut-off road. But if you didn't see them, how do you know they weren't the expert and his men that you sent for?"