In this quest Oliver decided to go alone. If the three were together they might excite suspicion.
“Then I’ll go back to the hotel where we left our baggage,” said Mr. Whyland.
“And I’ll go and send a telegram to my father,” put in Gus. “I suppose he’ll be awfully anxious about me until he hears that I am safe.”
This was agreed to, and in a moment more Oliver was on his way to Montgomery Street.
“You say the man you are looking for is a tall, dark Spaniard?” inquired one of the gentleman to whom he applied.
“Yes, sir. I thought his name was Mendix.” And Oliver described the colonel as fully as was possible.
“I think you mean Colonel Guerotaz,” said the man in charge of the office. “He is interested in several mining schemes, I believe, all up the Mokelumne River.”
“And where can I find this Colonel Guerotaz?” asked the boy with deep interest.
“I do not know. He was in here several times during the earlier part of the week. I believe he is getting ready to go up the country just as soon as he can get some machinery shipped.”