h border patrol, so that when the run is
actually made the driver of the car filled with Chinese knows the spots
to avoid.

Of course the Boy Ranchers were chiefly interested in the part their
new Shooting Star property might have played in this game of smuggling.

"And the fellow that lived here is the local head of that system!" Bud
exclaimed. "Say, we let a rare bird go when he escaped."

"We've still got a chance to get him," Dick declared. "He must be
around somewhere. That note--you saw the note we found, didn't you,
Mr. Hawkins?--well, that indicated we might look for another visit from
the coot. The Kid will be glad to see him, eh, Kid?"

"An' I don't mean maybe!" Yellin' Kid exploded. "Stealin' the best
bronc I ever had--just when I was gettin' him broken in proper--an' me
away out here in the wilderness with nothin' to ride----"

"I'll get you a pony," the deputy offered. "There's one I know of
that's a beaut--fast and strong. Friend of mine wants to sell her."

"I'd be sure grateful if you'd do that, mister. It sort of hits me
hard, losin' a good bronc like that."

"It wasn't your fault, Kid," Bud hastened to say. "And Dad will insist
on buying you another. So if Mr. Hawkins knows of one that will suit
you, take it. You'll fix him up with a horse then, Mr. Hawkins?"

"Depend on it," the tall deputy declared. "Now to business. I've told
you boys all I knew about the way smuggling is being done around here,
but I didn't do it just to be interestin'. I want you-all to help me."

"Sure!"

"That's what we're here for!"

"No, we're not, Kid," Bud corrected. "We're here to herd sheep. But
we'll certainly help Mr. Hawkins all we can."

"Here's the dope, boys," and the deputy leaned closer. "This Delton
may or may not have been doin' business here at the ranch. If he has
been, an' I'm goin' to figger that way, his friends still expect him to
be here. He left in too much of a hurry to send out word. An' here's
where you-all come in.

"I want you to pretend the ranch hasn't changed hands. Just lay low
for a while, not travelin' 'round much, an' we'll see what happens. I
don't mind tellin' you we got another tip, that some Chinks were goin'
to be rushed across within the next few days. Can't say just when, but
soon now. It's a big load this time, an' if things work the way I
think they will, they'll try to land them at this ranch."

"You mean they'll think Delton is still here?" No