“It is.”
“Well, I reckon that’s right. I was only jokin’ anyway.”
Hippy made no reply, but continued with his work, observed appraisingly by the guide, who seemed much interested.
In the meantime another and more exciting scene was being enacted at the hotel, where the rest of the Overland party had been enjoying a delightful evening with Colonel Scott and his friends. Tom Gray had just been telling the colonel of the mysterious loss of the Overland ponies, and how the railroad president had promised to put forth efforts looking to the recovery of the missing horses, when an interruption came. The wife of one of Colonel Scott’s friends came running to the front of the house in search of her husband.
“I’ve been robbed!” she cried, in answer to a volley of questions.
“I’ve Been Robbed!”
“Robbed?” demanded a chorus of voices.
“Yes. When I came down to dinner I left my jewels on the bureau in my room. My purse, with a sum of money in it, was there also. That, too, is gone.”
“Where is your room?” asked Tom Gray.