But Kit did not deign to answer the man. She dug her spurs into
Powder's sides and he leaped past the rider and raced toward the town.
"That fellow looks as if he had been taking advantage of someone. Wasn't he feeling good? On top of the world! The old cheat!" blustered Kit, as she dismounted at the stables where they were to leave their horses for a rest and a good feed.
The girls took their time, went leisurely about the town, ate their lunch at the Grand Palace Hotel and later went to the County Recording Office.
"Why, that's funny!" said the clerk, giving them a searching look. "Those same claims were recorded not more than an hour ago. Man by the name of Ramon Salazar. What are you trying to do, jump his claims?"
"Why, we wouldn't do such a thing," exclaimed Bet indignantly.
"Was Ramon here in person?" asked Kit.
"No, he sent the papers in by a neighbor," returned the young man. "A fellow by the name of Kie Wicks."
"Kie Wicks!" That explained everything.
The girls suddenly wilted. All their sparkle was gone as they watched the clerk checking over the descriptions with the ones already recorded.
"You have one here that has not been recorded," the clerk announced when he had finally finished the checking.