“Why, yes, he had ought to know; and p’raps now he might be able to give me a few pointers that would come in useful,” the other went on to say, as they started to pass along the outside of the big corral which they were guarding.
“What if he offered to go himself; would you let him?” asked Donald, still feeling a little hurt because he had been deprived of the privilege of playing the part of spy.
“Honest now, I think I would,” chuckled Adrian; “but between us there’s a mighty slim chance of that happening; because, you must remember who’s in the ranch house at this minute; and Uncle Fred isn’t going to put himself in any position where he’s likely to come suddenly face to face with his wife.”
“That settles it, and you go,” muttered Donald, as though realizing that what his comrade said was the truth.
They soon ran upon the ex-manager. Uncle Fred seemed to have quite forgotten the fact that he had
been deposed from the command of the forces belonging to the cattle ranch, for he was bustling around at a great rate, giving his orders in a low but positive tone, and seeing that they were faithfully executed, too.
When he heard what Adrian proposed to do he immediately declared that it met with his approbation.
“I’ve been worrying some myself,” he observed, “about what’d become of those three skunks, because they have sure enough disappeared like the ground had opened and swallowed the lot. And just as like as not they are hid in the house somewhere; and ought to be yanked out by the heels, so we could put ’em alongside Burke. I’d feel a whole heap easier in my mind if I knew we had the four of ’em tied, neck and crop, so they couldn’t do us any damage unbeknown.”
“Then you approve of my going in to find out, do you, Uncle Fred?” Adrian asked.
“Yes, only be very careful how you get around, son,” replied the rancher. “When you make sure they’re inside, come out right away, without trying to do a single thing. You press the button, and we’ll do the rest. Now, p’raps I had ought to go myself, as I’m best acquainted with the inside arrangements of the house; but—er, you see, I’ve got my hands full as it is out here; and something might go wrong while I was away. But you understand,