o the house?"

"Maybe it's a heating apparatus," suggested Sam.

"Yes, they need it in this weather," said Tom sarcastically.

"Well, what is it, then?"

"That remains to be found out," said Dick. "This certainly is a place
of mystery," he added. "It is assuredly no ordinary ranch."

One piece of machinery after another was carried into the ranch,
until the wagon was empty. Then the turnout was taken into a big barn
at the back of the ranch.

"That show is over," said Songbird. "I won-der what the next act in
this drama will be?"

They remained at the top of the tree for an hour or more. During that
time, they saw several men moving around the ranch and some thick
smoke coming from a broad chimney, but that was all.

"How much longer are you going to stay here?" asked Sam presently.

"No longer," answered the eldest brother, starting to descend. "I am
going to investigate this whole thing and find out just what it means!"

CHAPTER XVII

THE BANK BILLS ON THE TABLE

"Dick, this is a dangerous piece of business," said Fred, after the
entire party was again on the ground.

"That's right," broke in Songbird. "Don't forget the warning on the
wall of the shack."

"I am not afraid," answered the eldest Rover. "There is some great
mystery here, and I feel it ought to be investigated. Why, those men
may be bandits, or something like that, for all we know."

"They are certainly not on the level, or they wouldn't put up with
a fellow like Dan Baxter," came from Sam.

"Dot ist so," said Hans. "At der same dime, ve ton't vont to put our
mouths into der lion's head alretty!"

"I've got a plan," said Dick after a pause. "I do not think it a wise
move for all of us to go forward at once. I think two will be enough.
The others can stay here and await developments."

"Then you have got to take me with you," said Sam promptly.

"Sam, you had better let me go with Dick," put in Tom.

"No, I want to go," insisted the youngest Rover, and so it was at
last decided.

"I don't see how you are going to approach that ranch in broad
daylight," said Fred. "As they have guards on the road, it is more
than likely they have guards around the ranch also."

"I think I'll wait until night, Fred--or at least until it is dark."

After that the boys spent the time in exploring the woods and looking
over the plains beyond. They saw several wagon tracks, apparently
leading to nowhere in particular, and they also found somethin