Before the others were awake the guide went out and was away from the camp for more than an hour. He was just returning when Hippy Wingate came out.
“Find anything exciting this morning?” asked Hippy jovially.
“Yes. Someone was prowling about the camp last night. I found the spot where the young ladies were sitting, and I also found the imprints of booted feet. About a quarter of a mile to the west of us a horse was tethered, and the fellow who was here undoubtedly rode it, and went north, after leaving this vicinity. Is it your wish that I run his trail out, Lieutenant?”
“No. What’s the use? If he is particularly interested in us he will come again, and maybe he will come once too often and get caught,” suggested Hippy.
The guide bowed and went about getting breakfast. The party was in their saddles at an early hour, turning their faces toward the north, and the Cascade Range, which was their destination. It was a glorious day, and even Hamilton White thawed under the sweet lure of the forest, and talked forest and woodcraft to his party.
They camped that night in a rocky pass, well sheltered, and with a mountain stream at their feet. Everyone was tired, and chilled from the mist that was settling over the pass. Before anything else was done, a fire was built and coffee prepared by the girls. Then Ham White began making camp, and Stacy and Lieutenant Wingate cared for the horses.
Stacy, very proud of his saddle, which he had ridden for a long time, in fact ever since he had ridden with the Pony Rider Boys on their many adventurous journeys, brought the saddle in and threw it down near the fire. Something fell out of the saddle pocket. Stacy picked it up and looked at the object frowningly.
“What’s that?” demanded Grace a little sharply.
“That? I’m blest if I know,” answered Stacy, his face showing some perplexity.
Grace took the object from him, glanced into it, and looking up at Elfreda, laughed.