"Haven't you seen the wagon and Darling?"
"Not since I went away. When did you go to sleep?"
"I—er—I think I dropped off right after you went off."
"That's about two hours ago."
"As long as that! Gracious, I thought I only had a short nap! Did you find Mark and Bob?"
"No, couldn't get the least trace of 'em. But about the turnout? Haven't you any idea at all where it is?"
"No." Si looked around. "Somebody has been here, hitched up the mule, and drove away with our belongings," he continued, bitterly. "And I am to blame! What will Bob and Mark say?"
"It might have happened to any of us, lad. But we must get on the trail of the thieves."
"Yes! yes! Do you think they followed the regular trail?"
"Perhaps so—but if they did, they'll soon run into Socket and some of our other friends. They may have been cute enough to take to some side trail. There are plenty of them around here. Everybody don't go over the mountains by exactly the same trail."