“Well, then, let’s follow our usual custom and hold a council of war,” suggested Phil, as they started back to the lean-to with their arms full of the fragrant balsam boughs.
This suggestion was hailed with delight by the others, and at the lean-to they made haste to spread the boughs to that they would make comfortable bunks, and then sitting Hindu fashion on the ground between the two branch lean-tos, opened the council.
Garry was the appointed leader of the boys on all expeditions. This had held true ever since they had first become friends, for Garry was a year older than the others, and possessed of a level head. His was a forceful personality that made him a born leader. Yet there was never a complaint on the part of the others against Garry’s leadership, for he possessed the fine trait of never being “bossy.” An important step was always discussed before a decision was made, and when there was any doubt, a vote was taken after each man had had his say. Oftentimes they decided such matters as who should perform certain duties by drawing lots, using three twigs, the man getting the shortest being named for the job.
“All right, now,” said Garry. “Who has suggestion number one?”
“I believe that I have a hunch,” answered Phil. “Perhaps I am all wrong and am just trying to paint a villain blacker than he is; but I cannot get it out of my head that the halfbreed is mixed up in this some way. Perhaps he is not the brains of the organization, but Lafe Green might be. He is a cunning man, versed in all kinds of villainy, and with LeBlanc’s bravery, for bad as he is, you must give him credit for being fearless, they make a dangerous combination. Lafe Green can command a certain type of men by holding influence over them, and LeBlanc can lead certain kinds through making them fear him. Then they seem to be mixed up in any mess that we come in contact with. I move we start on the premise that they are the ones.”
“Good logic, there,” said Garry, “and there is only one way to find out whether or not your hunch is true. That is by following them all and either pinning something on them, or finding that they are guiltless.”
“Of all the crowd that we have run afoul of in the past few weeks,” said Phil, “who is still at large?”
“Why, let me see,” said Garry. “I can think of only three. There are the LeBlanc brothers and Lafe Green. Of course we don’t know how many confederates there are for this outfit, but there should not be many. Most of them were cleaned up at the time of the smuggling. Then, too, this kind of business is something that does not require a great deal of help. The threatening letters could be sent by one man, and the mail robbery would not need many. I am inclined to think there is inside help somewhere in that. Yes, there are only three that I can think of.”
“Wait a minute, now,” interrupted Dick. “You forget the tramps.”
“Maybe, but I doubt it. There is nothing to make us think they would have become acquainted with Green and his outfit, and besides they have seen us a couple of times and failed to recognize us. That was natural, because we are dressed differently and are tanned up so that our own families would hardly recognize us. If they had been part of the Green-LeBlanc outfit, they would have been told of us, and when they saw us would have made it known in some fashion. I think they are only in this section because it is close to the border, and they can keep out of sight. Perhaps they are laying plans for some sort of a crime around here. At any rate, it would be well to watch them and if possible effect their capture, for they are wanted in Portland for jumping their bail. Well, that being put aside for the moment, what is our first step?”