“I don’t mean that,” he explained. “But it sure looked as though he’d been following us. At least it did to me. How’d he know when to ride by last night? He timed that perfectly! By jinks, I’ll bet he was watching us all the time!”
“Maybe,” Teddy said laconically. “But wondering won’t get us any place. We’ll have to sit tight and watch our step, that’s all. Come on, it’s gettin’ late.”
As they rode forward at a faster gait, Teddy suddenly called his brother’s attention to a figure on horseback coming toward them.
“It’s dad!” Roy exclaimed. Then, as the figure neared: “He looks worried, too. Wonder what happened?”
“Howdy, boys!” called Mr. Manley, as he rode up. “Come to meet the old man, hey?”
“What’s the news, Dad?” Teddy asked eagerly.
A frown came to Mr. Manley’s face.
“Not so good,” he said slowly. “We won’t be able to prosecute those hoss thieves after all.”
Hesitating, he drew a corncob pipe from his pocket and stuck it between his lips, unlighted.
“The whole caboodle of ’em escaped yesterday,” he added tersely.