A shout arose, for it showed that at least some one was there, whatever had happened, to drive the coach in.
Then those who had said the delay was caused by the doctor being new to the trail began to crow, but only for a while, as Landlord Larry, who was gazing through a field-glass at the approaching stage, called out:
"There are only four horses—two are missing, for some reason."
It was now all conjecture as to the cause of delay. Again Landlord Larry had something to say, and it was to the effect that the coach was not dashing along with its accustomed speed in coming in at the end of the trail, that Doctor Dick was on the box, and alone, while he seemed to drive in a very careful manner, very different from his going away on his drive out.
Nearer and nearer came the coach up the valley, every eye upon it, and all wondering, guessing, and asserting their views of what had happened.
"The doctor is there, that is certain," said one.
"Two horses have been killed," another remarked.
"He may have lost them in the bad roads," was an answer.
"Perhaps they were shot down by road-agents."
"He has no passengers."