'cept I won't see you agin."

"Why not?"

"I promised to take a trip with the feller what was jest here, an' it's
time we was off."

"What's that for?"

"I don't know as it's any business of yours," and Gus looked at his
guests suspiciously.

"Of course not," Skip replied quickly, "but we've had such a good time
that a feller can't help feelin' sorry you've got to go."

This explanation did not appear to be entirely satisfactory.

The boy alternately gazed at one and then the other for several moments
in silence, and finally said in a threatening tone:

"A good many fellers have tried to get the best of me, but I allers made
'em sick before the job was finished."

"Now what are you drivin' at?" Skip asked, in well simulated surprise.

"If you don't know I won't waste time talking," was the reply, as Gus
walked hurriedly away, and the boys saw him join his friend a short
distance off.

"He's tumbled to our game," Skip said sadly, "an' I'd like to knock the
head off the feller what put him up to it."

"That shows he knows something about the money."

"He may think we're on another racket; but there's no use loafin' 'round
here. I'll go to the depot an' you find Bill."

Fred had no difficulty in following this last suggestion. The miner was
already at the rendezvous, and when the details of the apparent failure
had been given, he exclaimed angrily:

"It's all my fault, an' instead of helpin' Sam I've done him a power of
harm."

"What do you mean?"

"I was in too much of a hurry, and thought myself mighty smart, so told
the lawyer what we suspicioned. He ain't much less of a fool than I am,
for he sent out to find a friend of Gus', and asked him all kinds of
questions. Now we've driven 'em away, an' may as well go ourselves."

"Are we to give up working?"

"There's no use in stayin' here any longer, an' we'll strike across the
mountain. Come on, so's it'll be possible to get home before dark."

CHAPTER XXII

UNEXPECTED NEWS

Fred was opposed to leaving Blacktown without seeing Sam; but Bill,
smarting under the sense of having brought about his own defeat,
insisted upon an immediate departure.

"It ain't likely we could get into the jail now the day is so far spent,
an' if we did, what would be the use? There's nothing that could be said
to cheer the boy."

"I promised."

"You can keep it the next time we come," and Bill put an end to the
discussion by starting toward the mountain.