"Where?" asked Billy.
"At Golden Peak," replied the younger Racer lad. "I believe he'll head for there, to join the others of his gang."
"If he does," said Billy solemnly, "it's good-bye to Uncle Richfield's dam. Those fellows will have the upper hand!"
CHAPTER XXIV
OFF TO GOLDEN PEAK
"Well, it's no use, boys, I guess we may as well go back."
"And give up the chase?"
It was Mr. Thornton who spoke first, and Billy who questioned him. They had been on the trail since early morning, seeking to find the man who had disappeared from their ranch at the same time as did the valuable document, and now, at sunset, they had come to a halt, unsuccessful.
All day they had followed the trail of the fugitive—or rather, they had tried to follow it—for they lost it a short time after leaving the ranch, and not even the most skilful of the plainsmen or cow punchers could pick it up again.
"Yes, Billy," resumed the ranchman, "that's the only thing to do, I guess. There's no use keeping on after a forlorn hope. We can't get that fellow to-night."