here and waiting," commented Dick grimly.

Professor Wright consented to stay for lunch at the outpost of Diamond
X, but declined an invitation to remain over night, saying he must get
back to his colleagues who would be wondering over his long absence.

"Are you sure you can find your way back to your camp?" asked Bud, for
the scientists were established not far from Mr. Merkel's ranch houses.

"Oh, yes, I can make it all right," was the reply. "Thank you."

And when he was gone, many curious glances followed him. He was always
a matter of curiosity to the cowboys for they could not understand his
deep interest in digging up the bones of monster animals that had
walked the earth millions of years ago. However, Bud and his cousins
could appreciate this scientific interest, knowing what it added to the
sum of human knowledge.

But now there was a new source of curiosity regarding the professor,
and I am frank to say there was no little suspicion. In spite of the
fact that (as I have told you in the first book of this series), the
professor was cleared of certain suspicions there still remained, in
the mind of some persons, suspicions and lurking thoughts.

Why had the scientist returned to Diamond X at the very time when the
government opened the land to claimants? Why had he led astray the
pursuit of those who fired the shots that night? And now was his
explanation of how he happened to be in company with those believed to
be sheep herders a good explanation?

These were questions that needed answering, though it may be said that
the older cowboys were more concerned about them than were the boy
ranchers. They were young enough to be naturally unsuspicious of their
scientific friend.

"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 answ