hey came' out on a road in the rear of Red Rock ranch.
There was a ditch to cross, and then a line of thorns, which gave
all more than one scratch.

Suddenly they were startled by a shot, fired at a distance. Another
shot soon followed.

"What does that mean?" cried Fred. "Where's the dog?"

"Perhaps Sam and Dick are trying to escape," returned Songbird.

"I hope nobody is shooting them," put in Tom. "I must say," he added,
"I don't like this at all. The dog is gone."

"Hadn't we better place the horses in the woods and investigate?"

"No, we'll take the horses along, and if there is trouble, we'll use
our pistols," answered Tom firmly.

They advanced with caution, and soon came to where the road made a
turn westward. Tom uttered an exclamation of surprise, and not without
good reason.

"Man--on the road--flat on his face!"

"Is he a spy?"

"Is he dead?"

"I don't know," answered Tom. "Go slow--we may be running into a trap."

They advanced with caution. Not another soul seemed to be in sight,
and presently they stood over the man. He was breathing heavily.

"Looks like a planter," observed Fred, noticing the apparel the
stranger wore. "What's the matter with him?"

"Perhaps he was shot. Let us turn him over."

This they proceeded to do, and then, without warning, the man sat up
and rubbed his eyes. His wig and beard fell off, and to Tom's
astonishment there was revealed James Monday, the government detective.

"Mr. Monday!" cried the boy. "How in the world did you get here?"

"Wha--who are you?" stammered the man. "Wha--what hit me?"

"I don't know what hit you. I am Tom Rover. Don't you remember me?"

The government official looked perplexed for a moment, and then his
face brightened.

"To be sure I remember you, Rover," he stammered. "But I am all in
a twist." He brushed his hand over his face. "I thought I was down
and out, as the saying goes."

"Did you fire those shots?"

"I fired one shot. The other was fired by a man who ran away. I
believe the villain wanted to take my life. The bullet struck a rock
and then struck and stunned me, and I keeled over."

"And the man ran away?"

"I suppose so. You didn't see him, did you?"

"No."

"Where are you bound?" went on the government official curiously.

"We are looking for my two brothers, Sam and Dick. They went over to
the ranch yonder, and we have heard that they are being held prisoners."

CHAPTER XXIII

JAMES MONDAY TAKES A