CHAPTER X
OFF FOR THE WEST
Frank looked quickly at his brother, and Andy, in turn, turned a rather startled gaze on Frank.
"What's that you said?" asked the younger Racer lad.
"The treasure of Golden Peak," murmured Frank. "Is that a joke, or just a pleasant little way you Westerners have of making conversation?"
Billy laughed and said:
"Well, boys, I'm afraid, after all, that it may be only a joke. But for all that there is a place out near my uncle's ranch on the Kansas prairies that is known as 'Golden Peak.' It's a sort of big hill."
"And is there treasure in it?" asked Andy, eagerly. Frank, too, in spite of the fact that he was slower to enthuse than was his brother, looked much interested. "Is there gold out there, Billy?"
"I don't know," was the frank answer. "I'll tell you all I can about it, and you can judge for yourselves. But first let me say that, treasure or no treasure, I hope both of you can come West with me, and help me and my uncle get ahead of the men who are trying to spoil his business. He says he thinks, from what I have told him about you, that you'd be just the kind of fellows to do it."
"Many thanks!" exclaimed Frank, making an exaggerated bow.