“Where did the message direct them to go and find her?” Big Joe questioned. “They may need help.”
“Devil’s Gap,” the ranch owner answered.
“Devil’s Gap,” Big Joe repeated in wonder. “Why, we were through there three times yesterday, wasn’t we, Jack?”
“There’s something wrong about this,” Mason declared, his brows knitting.
“Bud said that the message read about Josephine’ captors moving about from place to place,” ranch owner explained.
Big Joe was getting impatient.
“Come on, Jack. We’ll go and talk it over with the boys,” he said, turning on his heel with an impatient frown.
Mason followed him. At the bunkhouse they made the cowboys acquainted with this new phase of the hunt.
“I told you so.” Tex cried in a matter-of-fact tone after Big Joe had finished speaking. “We had ought to have held the girl up as I wanted to. Somebody broke through our line last night, and the girl left the ranch soon after I heard that scuffling noise. We don’t know if that message is crooked or not.”
Big Joe was plainly impressed by Tex’s serious manner. Mason was leaning against the bunkhouse door listening wearily to their talk.