“That is just the hot-headed way they do things in the West,” he declared. “Upon my word it is awful.”
Finally a resolution seized Frank.
One morning he came down to the shop and gave orders to have the Steam Horse made ready for a trip.
Of course the workmen set about it without asking questions.
But the report got abroad and many and various were the surmises.
Finally one of the curious ones ventured to approach Frank point blank.
“Where are you going this time, Mr. Reade? Not to the North Pole?”
“No,” replied Frank, crisply. “I am going West to find Bert Mason the true murderer of Clem Johnson. If it is in my power, I mean to clear up the mystery and set this unfortunate Benjamin Astley right once more. I shall hope for success.”
CHAPTER II.
THE QUICKSAND.
There was no other motive on Frank’s part otherwise than to see justice done.