from hyer
ter Independence."

"Asked you about the stage-coach, eh!" said Jack, his attention
particularly attracted by this remark. "What did you tell the gentleman
about it?"

"Why, I jist guv him ther time table all erlong its route, an', ses I,
thar's ter be one erlong ter-night erbout ten er-clock from ther
south'ard, which'll stop hyar ter water ther nags. It ginerally kerries
from five ter ten people, yer see, an' I allers hev ter laugh when I
hears how skeered they gits while er-crossin' ther ledge down yander on
thet ere spur er ther hills."

"Dangerous place?"

"Wall, I reckon it be. Hev a chaw er terbacker?"

"No, I thank you. What time does the stage leave the next town?"

"Nine o'clock--it's jist one hour difference."

"Did the gentleman inquire particularly about this stage?"

"Certain. It's ther only one wot's due fer two days."

"Did he say anything about the ledge?"

"Sure he did, an' axed me werry pertickler all about it. I was
erwondsrin' wot he was erquizzin' me about so much, but reckon it wuz
only his pesky curiosity."

"Very likely," said Jack, in grim tones. "Then he rode off?"

"Yes, an' or mighty likely nag it wuz, too, which he called Jim."

"That's Jim Malone," thought Jack.

The information he received plainly showed him that Frank James intended
to rob the people of the Independence stage at the mountain ledge.

In order to do this he would very likely summon some of the gang and be
at the pass at nine o'clock that night.

The storekeeper had no idea of this.

Indeed, as he did not know who Frank James was, not a suspicion of the
truth of the matter was likely to enter his mind, for the bandit led him
to suppose he was anxious to travel to the northern main line on that
vehicle.

"In which direction did that man go?" asked Jack, in conclusion.

"Ter ther west'ard. But why d'yer want all or this infermation?"

"Simply became he is one of the James Boys."

"Holy--jumpin'--jingo!" gasped the man.

"He intends to rob that stage!"

"Oh, thunder! wot er big fool I wuz ter post him!"

"We will block his game. You keep mum."

"Yes kin jist bet I will!"

Jack returned aboard the Terror, and told his friends all he had
learned, and a consultation was held.

It was then seven o'clock.

They had but little time to waste,

"Our plan to save the people in that stage coach from robbery is a very
simple one," said Jack. "We must run ahead and intercept them."

"Suppo