“I am,” answered Tom.
“My name is Butts—Hank Butts. I work over at the Rolling Thunder mine.”
“Is that so? Then, Butts, perhaps you can tell me where Lew Billings is?”
For reply, and greatly to Tom Rover’s astonishment, the miner leaned forward and whispered hoarsely:
“I can’t tell you that, partner. Lew disappeared two days ago, and nobody seems to know what’s become of him.”
CHAPTER XIX
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF LEW BILLINGS
“Lew Billings has disappeared!” exclaimed Tom Rover.
“Yes, partner. Teetotally and completely vamoosed, and nobody knows where to,” answered the strange miner.