ick up a measure of oats for Peter, then he began the last lap of his
journey. There was a bright fire glowing at the Sun Plant. As he neared
it, he gave a shout. There was an answering shout and Ernest and Gustav
came rushing through the desert to meet him.

They had been consumed with anxiety about him. Dick had said that they
must start on the hunt for him at dawn. Ernest had lighted the fire with
the hope that it might help him.

Gustav took Roger's pack and Ernest threw a helping arm about him. They
led him straight to the cook tent where they had kept the coffee pot
warm, and seated him at the table where a place was set for him. Their
joy and relief almost unmanned Roger.

"My dear chaps," he insisted, "I was in no such great danger!"

"In no danger! You should have heard what Dick and Charley said," cried
Ernest.

"Well, it's all right now," said Roger. "I've wasted a lot of time but
I've located some rich loot, believe me."

"Where'd you pick up the burro?" asked Ernest. "He looks just like
Peter."

"It is Peter," replied Roger. "Gustav, give him those oats in my coffee
pot and let me eat, then I'll tell you all about it."

It was scarcely dawn and Roger was still fast asleep, when Ernest met
Dick at the corral with the news of Roger's safe return and of the
tragedy of poor Crazy Dutch. Dick was much upset at hearing of Von
Minden's death.

"He was a poor old loon, but mighty good-hearted," he said, "and I swear
I don't know what we'd have done sometimes without him--especially
Charley. She's going to be all broken up over this. I'll tell her, then
I'll come down and talk to Roger."

"Roger thought we ought to notify the folks at Archer's Springs right
away," said Ernest.

"Shucks! That's not necessary. When some of us go in we can notify the
sheriff. Dutch had a bum heart and had run out of food and water. Not a
bad death, poor old chap."

When Dick came down to the camp, and they all had talked a little sadly
of Von Minden's lonely death, Ernest asked suddenly:

"Did you find any window glass, Rog?"

Roger gave him a blank look. "By Jove, no! I was so excited over Von
Minden and that new type engine and a hunch I got, that I forgot all
about it. Well, I'll just have to start out again."

"By the way," Ernest went on, "I went into town while you were gone to
get the mail. There was just one letter. It was from Elsa. She's on her
way down here. She's due on Sunday."

Roger looked from Dick