“You say Colonel Guerotaz was here last night?”
“Yes,” replied Ford. “Know the man?”
“I know of him. Was he alone?”
“No, no; had two new hands with him.”
“Did they have any baggage? I mean heavy stuff?”
“Not as I know of. Are you off to see him?” went on the keeper of the store curiously.
“We are,” replied Oliver. “What time did the colonel leave?”
“At sunrise this morning. Oh, he’s a spry fellow, I can tell you.”
Oliver said no more, but walked back to Mr. Whyland and Gus.
“Colonel Mendix is just a full day’s journey ahead of us,” he said. “I wonder if it is likely that we catch up with him before we reach the mine.”