Tad hesitated.
"Wondering what?"
"Whether that rock has anything to do with so many horses and things being stolen in the range."
Tom Phipps laughed heartily.
"I never thought of it in that light. Don't see how a rock could possibly have any connection with it. Guess we shall have to look for something more human than a pile of stone."
It was decided, therefore, that on the morrow the two should visit the Ruby Mountain, when they would make a careful examination of the place in an effort to solve the mystery.
But they were destined to delay this trip for some time, and to pass through some exciting experiences before they solved the mystery of the Ruby Mountain.
CHAPTER XVII
WHEN THE DARK HORSE WON
"Professor, Mr. Munson says there's going to be a roping contest and horse race near here, this afternoon. May we go over to see it?" asked Ned Rector early on the following morning.