Pete found it behind some stones and they examined it together.
"Here's the spirit-stove, some bread, and the can of meat," said
Foster. "But I see no biscuits. Can he have eaten them?"
"There were ower mony. He's ta'en them with him."
"Well," said Foster thoughtfully, "I don't see why the other fellow brought him provisions he didn't need."
"Maybe something happened since he brought the basket," Pete suggested.
Foster pondered. It was possible that something had happened at the hotel after Telford's visit that had altered the accomplices' plans, or made it easier for Daly to get away; but, if this were so, Telford must have gone back to the mine. He might have done so, but Foster thought Daly had perhaps not taken his confederate altogether into his confidence and had changed his plans without warning him. Foster could not tell what chance the fellow had of stealing away, but as he had left the basket and only taken some biscuits, it looked as if he did not expect to go very far on foot.
"We'll get out and try to find which way he's gone," he said.
It was a relief to reach the open air, and they carefully studied the sloppy snow. Foster knew something about tracking elk and moose, and Pete had a poacher's skill, but the rapid thaw had blurred the footprints they found. On the whole, however, Pete imagined that Telford had returned to the mine since his visit on the previous evening.
Then they searched about the foot of the rocks and presently found marks that showed where somebody had climbed. Getting up, they followed the marks to a beaten trail that ran along the hillside from the town to a neighboring mine. There was nothing to be learned here and Foster went back dejectedly to the hotel. Dinner was being served when he arrived, but he did not see Walters and felt annoyed when Telford stopped him as he was coming out.
"I haven't seen you since last night and thought we might have had a game," he said. "Where have you been all morning?"