The government official stared at Tom, wondering who he could be.
"What letter?" demanded the ranch owner quickly.
"Here it is," answered Tom, and brought it forth. Sack Todd ripped it open quickly and scanned its contents. It was short and to the point:
"Look out for government detectives. They are on your track. One is named James Monday. There is also a fellow named Rover—beware of him.—NUMBER 9."
Utterly unconscious of what he was doing, Tom had played directly into the hands of Sack Todd and his evil associates.
CHAPTER XXV
IN WHICH TOM IS EXPOSED
"Boy, who gave you this letter?" demanded the owner of Red Rock ranch, after he had read the communication through twice.
His look was a stern one, and his gaze seemed to bore Tom through and through. Yet the lad did not flinch. He felt that he must play his part to the end.
"Feller give it at the house fer pap," he drawled. "Pap, he fergot to bring it. So I hustled off to do it."