It was about two days after Billy had gotten out of bed, following the attack on him, that he sought out Frank and Andy in their room.
"I've got a message from my uncle," said the Western lad, as he held out a telegram. "It's in the code, and I've just translated it. By the way, I believe I forgot to mention that my uncle's name is Richfield Thornton, and that his place is near Sageville, Kansas."
"We've never been very far West," volunteered Andy, "so we never heard of that place."
"What does your uncle say?" asked Frank, for it was evident that Billy had come to tell some news.
"Oh, he says he's sorry I was hurt, but he's glad that that man didn't get hold of the papers that I carried. He says he is having his own troubles out there, for the men opposed to him are making it hard to do business. It seems they have divided up their forces and attack. Some of them are in the East here, trying to get the best of me, and others are working the game from the Western end. I don't know what to do. The deal is far from being completed, and anything may happen at any time to spoil it. I wish my uncle would come on and tell me what to do."
"Maybe we can help you," suggested Frank. "Our father is in business in New York, and I know he has had lots of law-suits about different matters. Maybe he could advise you——"
"No, thank you," said Billy, with a shake of his head. "The trouble is, I can't give you the details of my uncle's business for two reasons. One is that I don't know all the ins and outs of it myself, and the other is that it has to be kept secret for a certain length of time. And to get intelligent advice I'd have to give all the details."
"That's so," agreed Frank.
"But I tell you what we can do," exclaimed Andy. "We can stick close to you, Billy, and if there are any more attacks there'll be three of us to dispose of instead of one."
"That's right!" cried Frank. "Billy, we're with you from this on!" And he held out his hand, which the Western lad took in a hearty clasp. "You hang out with us, Billy," went on the elder Racer lad, "and we'll see what happens."