And he related the particulars of the meeting with Henry Bradner, and what the stranger had said and done concerning Wumble.
"The snake!" ejaculated the old miner passionately. "He's a sharp, true as you are born! Why, I never put up at the Palace of the West in my life."
"I wish I knew what his game was," went on Dick.
"You will know Dick—if I can get my hands on him. Do you reckon as how he is over to that other hotel now?"
"More than likely."
"Unless he shadowed us to here," burst out Tom. "If he did that he must know his game is up, and you can be sure he will keep out of sight."
The matter was talked over, and it was decided that Jack Wumble and the boys should go to the other hotel without delay.
On the way Dick told the old miner what had brought them to the West. Jack Wumble took a deep interest in all mining schemes, and listened closely to all the youth had to say.
"Yes, I remember about the Eclipse Mine," he said. "And I remember this Arnold Baxter, too. He was a bad one, and if I and some others had our say he would have dangled from a tree for his stealings, for, you see, we didn't have no jails in those days, and stealing was a capital crime."
"It will you help us to locate the mine before Arnold Baxter or his confederates can get on the ground? We will pay you for your trouble."