“No doubt; but the owners will have discovered the loss too late.”
“I was just thinking it might be a good thing to
leave them here unmolested and set a watch over them.”
“What good would that do? They will not make a second attempt at the same place.”
“It occurs to me,” said Adrian with becoming modesty, “that it would be a good thing to ride on just as though we had found nothing. As soon as we get around that piece of chaparral, let me come back and hide myself. I believe somebody will be around trying to locate the missing weapons. As I understand it, that rapid-fire gun is a valuable piece.”
“There is no doubt of that,” admitted the captain.
“If the one who comes hunting it finds it has not been molested, he will think it has not been discovered and he will take some steps to carry it away. When he does so, I can give the alarm and we can pounce down upon him.”
“Your idea isn’t at all unreasonable,” said the Captain, “and I’m perfectly willing to see what we can do.”
Accordingly the little cavalcade rode along for more than half a mile. It then halted in the edge of the chaparral, where Adrian dismounted and slowly made his way back through the mesquite bushes which covered the plain.
It was hot lying there in the broiling sun, but Adrian did not mind. This was his idea, and