"We didn't stir from this spot while Bob and Dave were away," answered Sam, earnestly.
"What!" cried Tim, amazed.
"But we saw some one up there," persisted Dick, staring with wide-open eyes at the group, "and if it wasn't any of you, who in the dickens could it have been?"
"Is that another silly joke?" demanded Jack, fiercely.
"Do you think we've just joined the United Order of Funny Men?" snorted Tim, as he sprang to the ground. "It's the unvarnished, bona fide truth; eh, Travers?"
Dick, holding his impatient broncho by the bridle, drew a long breath, and nodded.
"Gee! Here's a nice mystery: first, we hear shots; then, on the same day, a horseman rides up and takes a good long squint at us. Mighty odd you chaps didn't run across him."
"Goodness gracious, this place just seems full of people," murmured Tommy, turning to stare anxiously in all directions.
"And I don't like it a little bit, either," confided Dick. "Do you think—that is—suppose—"
"Say anythin' 'bout Pete Colliver, an' it means a whole lot o' trouble—remember!" howled Jack. He held up a warning finger. "That's settled—or somebody around here will be."