"But I wish I knew what he really crossed the creek for," said Billee.
"Then you don't believe his story?" asked Snake Purdee.
"Not by a long shot!" exclaimed Billee. "Do you?"
"'Twas kinder fishy," admitted the other. "But what would his object be, and what was his game?"
Billee had no chance to answer, for just then the telephone bell jingled, and the veteran cow puncher answered it. He had no sooner given the customary "hello," than the expression on his face changed and he cried:
"You don't say so! That's too bad! All right, some of us will be right over."
"What's the matter?" asked Bud anxiously, coming up just in time to hear Billee's remark.
"There's trouble back at the ranch," was the grim answer. "They have just called for help!"
"Trouble! What sort?"
"Oh, nobody's hurt, as far as that goes," Billee hastened to assure the boy. "But there's been a raid on your cattle. Rustlers up to their old tricks, I reckon. It's a call for help from Diamond X!"