It is not necessary to dwell on the trip; suffice it to say that Nick finished the examination of the mines and prepared to resume his return journey.
While on the train he received a telegram that disarranged his plans and gave him the first inkling that his prophetic vision was to materialize.
The telegram was from a man named Folsom, whom Nick had met while examining his friend’s mining property. It intimated that a tragic occurrence was disturbing the people of Mason Creek, and that the services of Nick Carter would be appreciated in clearing up the mystery.
Nick decided to reply in person to the telegram, and started immediately for Denver.
It is necessary to go back a little to understand why Folsom had telegraphed for Nick.
A day or two before, two men had met on a rocky plateau, some three miles from the village of Mason Creek, in Colorado, and a little farther from Denver, near which city the overland express was bearing Nick Carter and his assistant eastward.
One of the men was a farmer, the other a clergyman.
The farmer was vociferating wildly, while the clergyman strove to pacify him.
“It ain’t right! it’s swindling, and you can’t make it anything else!” declared the farmer.