“Of course we will!� Ethel answered. “As soon as we can!�
Teddy seized his father’s bag from the rear of the auto, and he and Teddy shook hands with the girls. Bug Eye jammed down the pedal. The car leaped forward. As it swung about, the girls leaned out and waved farewells.
“Pretty nice!� Roy said, as he watched the car being swallowed up in a cloud of dust. “Pretty nice!�
Mrs. Manley smiled. Then, remembering what her husband had told her on the porch, the smile left her face.
“Boys, you go in and speak to your father,â€� she said. “He wants to tell you something. Belle and I will walk around to the garden and wait until you come out. You—you will be careful if you ride with him after those rustlers, won’t you?â€� Her eyes held an anxious light.
“Don’t worry, Mom!� Teddy cried, kissing his mother affectionately. “We’ll be all right. There’s no danger!�
The two boys walked stiffly toward the house.
“Wonder what it is?� Teddy mused. “You know, I have a hunch that dad found out more from those fellows down at the corral in Eagles than he told.�
“Maybe,� came from Roy. “We’ll soon know.�
They met their father coming out of the front door. His “city clothes� had been changed for a pair of leather chaps and a flannel shirt, open at the neck. Across one arm he carried a rifle.