"Bill Stiger's trail," murmured Sam, and his mind went back to the night Tom had gone to see the moving picture drama entitled "Lost in the Ice Fields of Alaska." Bill Stiger had been the name of the villain in the play—the rascal who had robbed the hero of his golden nuggets.
"He didn't have no ticket," went on the boy. "So he could get off the train anywhere."
"We must hurry to Morton's Junction and see if we can find out anything more," said Sam to his college chum. His face showed plainly how greatly he was worried.
The boy told them how to go and they made the best time possible, arriving at the Junction some time after noon. They found the depot master on the platform.
"I remember the fellow you mean," he said. "He got on the last car. Dunkirt, the conductor, helped him up. But I don't know where he went to. Maybe Dunkirt could tell you, when he gets back here."
"When will he be back?"
"He's off to-day and he'll be here on the one-thirty train. You can talk to him when he comes in, if you want to."
"I'll do it," answered Sam.
He and Songbird had an even hour to wait, and the latter suggested that they go to the Junction Hotel for dinner.
"Might as well eat, Sam," he said, kindly "It won't help matters any to go hungry."