Chip Harley joined Walter and Tug, and the three walked on in silence. It was broken by Chip.
“Say, fellows,” said he, “you remember what was said about Pat Malone this morning? Well, he was in camp just afterward.”
“How do you know?” asked Tug.
“Saw him,” said Chip. “He came in while you fellows were swimming. Left a message for Tom Mulligan. When he left he took the trail up past headquarters.”
Tug and Walter considered this information soberly.
“Looks bad,” said Tug. “Shall you report to the big chief?”
“I don’t know,” replied Chip. “It’s suspicious, any way you look at it.”
“Don’t do it yet,” said Walter. “You haven’t got any real evidence, you know. And let’s not say anything about it to the other fellows. It does look mighty suspicious, but I don’t believe that a fellow who would take a licking and then get up and shake hands the way Pat did with me would steal. Let’s do a little scouting before we say anything. What’s the matter with us three working together on this thing?”
“Good!” agreed Tug. “Each night we’ll get together and report all clues discovered. Gee, but I’d like to find that pin for Mother Merriam!”
“You bet!” said Walter. “And I’d like to clear Pat, too,” he added to himself.