“Did Calder have any particularly good horses?”
“Yes, he had a splendid team of matched grays that were worth considerable money. He thought more of the grays than he did of all his other horses put together.”
“I’ll wager a toothpick against a lemon that gang stole the grays before the fire,” declared Andy emphatically.
“The police ought to arrest those three men and put ’em through what they call the third degree,” remarked Gif.
“I’d like to know one other thing,” went on Andy, and now his face showed a slight grin. “What do you know about your Uncle Jarley’s auto running away by itself?”
“Oh, please don’t mention that tin junk wagon!” pleaded Brassy. “I started it, and the blamed thing ran over me, and I was lame for a week.”
“Does your uncle know anything about what Haddon and his crowd are up to?” questioned Jack.
“Not exactly. Although he’s becoming suspicious of the whole gang around the Bimbel place. You know he’s never trusted Bimbel since the man got into difficulty with the authorities several years ago.”
After that the seven boys talked the matter over for half an hour longer. And then the others insisted upon it that Brassy accompany them to the other entrance to the cave, and there all sat down to partake of the lunch brought from Big Horn Ranch.
Brassy appeared much relieved by the confession he had made, and readily answered all the questions put to him. His assertive manner had left him entirely, and he appeared quite humble.