It was a poser. Two-gun Pete asked if he might make a suggestion. His suggestion was that they liberate a bird and watch its direction, then follow out that direction until they finally found the hiding place of the rustlers.
“Peter, you sure have brains,” complimented Hippy.
“I love a man with brains,” bubbled Emma, amid smiles and nods, all of which embarrassed Two-gun very much.
“That’s the idea,” cried Tom. “Has anyone additional suggestions to make?”
“I have,” answered Miss Briggs. “Peter has given us something to work from, and all it needs is elaboration. See what you think of this. Give a bird five dollars and liberate him just after daylight, as they used to do in France. Watch the course he takes, then let our men take up positions on that course as nearly in line with the bird’s flight as possible, lining up about a mile apart. At a certain hour we will free a second bird, also with a five-dollar bill. One of our men on the lookout will surely see it. The ruffians may be a long way from here, but so long as the bird’s course can be kept in sight, its home roost can be found.”
“Good generalship,” agreed Tom, nodding.
“Right you are,” approved Bindloss. “But five dollars! I don’t like to give them robbers even five cents.”
“Sam, do you feel equal to going with us?” asked Grace, turning to the old guide.
“I’m goin’, an’ I ain’t comin’ back till I gits Jim,” he answered grimly.
“Five dollars sent out with each bird won’t break us. That will make sixty dollars if we send out the entire dozen, which is a pretty high price to pay for Chunky,” declared Emma.