“Big,” I said dolefully; “we’ve come too late. What shall we do?”

I gave him the letter to read, and he wrinkled up his brow.

“Go after him and catch him,” he cried.

“Yes; but how?”

“I don’t know,” he panted; “let’s try.”

“But the silver?”

“Is locked up safely where we found it, lad,” he cried. “It is a secret. Come on.”

“But how, Big? He is riding.”

“Then we must walk. A man can walk down a horse. Now, let’s see if it can’t be done by boys.”