“Then why is he not here attending to his business?” demanded Hippy with some irritation.
“I’ll tell you the story, then you’ll understand,” answered Stacy soberly. “I found the place where Coville lived and I was met at the door by a red-eyed woman who looked as if she had been crying. I asked her if Jake was there and she said ‘yes’ and burst into tears. Well, would you believe me, folks—”
“Oh, we will believe anything after this horse-car mystery,” returned Hippy Wingate impatiently.
“I told her who I was and that Jake was to be our guide, and, what do you think—”
“Don’t stall. Get to the point,” urged Tom.
“She said, ‘He ain’t nobody’s guide now. Jake’s dead!’”
The Overland Riders gasped.
“Who—what—” exclaimed Nora.
“Uh-huh. He passed out suddenly.”
“Oh, that is too bad,” cried the girls, their voices full of sympathy.