"Who else was looking for the assayer?"
"Feller in a big automobile. All dust-covered, too. Said he had a claim ter file."
Wandering William actually groaned. But Cash went on speaking.
"Funny, all this rush of business should come ter day."
"How's that?" inquired Wandering William for want of something better to say.
"Why 'cause ther assay office is closed up. Jim Dallam, as ran it, his mother is dead, an' he got leave ter go back East. Ther nearest assay office now is at Monument Rocks sixty miles east of hyar."
Straw of hope as it was they clutched at it eagerly. There might be a train leaving within a reasonable time:
"Can we get a train there?" asked Wandering William eagerly bending forward.
"Reckon ye're jes' too late; one pulled out half an hour ago."
"Did—did the man with the red auto catch it?" asked Peggy breathlessly.