This ruse also failed in its purpose, and, throwing discretion to the winds, Ted rushed boldly round the corner, then paused abruptly.
Hung beside the door was a sheet of paper on which was written in crude spelling:
You claim jumpers must go! Take your things and get! E 1 belongs to us. We filed on it 3 munths ago. We’ve put your things outside, as the law directs. If we find you or them here when we return, there’ll be more to it. Claim jumping ain’t healthy in these regions!
The Rightful Owners of E 1.
Too astonished to speak for the moment, the boys stared at the warning.
“That’s some trick!” Ted exclaimed at last.
“Bet it’s Petersen’s work,” added his brother. “It’s somebody’s, that’s certain,” agreed Ted. “The thing for us to do is to go to Waterville and file our claim as fast as we can.”
“Suppose these men have been there first,” suggested the elder boy.
“Andy would have told us. Come on, we haven’t any time to lose. You get the money while I saddle.”
Ere Ted had finished, however, Phil joined him, his face white.