The horses were gone!
CHAPTER III
A PUNCHER IN A CHECKERED SHIRT
Roy craned his neck forward, eyes wide. Mr. Manley stood with hands on hips, legs spread, staring intently at the vacant hitching rail. The corncob pipe drooped at a downward angle.
Teddy passed the back of his hand over his forehead, pushing back his hat.
“Why, that’s funny,� he said in a dazed voice. “They don’t seem to be here.�
“They—they must have wandered off,â€� Roy said uncertainly. “Queer. They were all tied tight. I wonder—â€�
“You mean to say they were here, and now they’re gone?� Mr. Manley asked, a new note creeping into his voice.
“The horses were here, all right,� Teddy declared unevenly. “I can’t understand it.�
“Well, I can!� Mr. Manley cried. His eyes were blazing. “They’ve been stolen! Those ponies ain’t the kind to wander around, once they’re tied up. They’ve been stolen an’ nothin’ less!� he thundered.
“What happened? Is something the matter?� Nell asked, as she and Ethel faced Mr. Manley.