too, Mr. Allen. I feel ashamed of even thinking
of such things, yet the night we had our meeting at Bruin Inn I heard
that same prospector discussing a Mr. Williams with Old Ben. I heard him
say that Williams was a thief and a sanctimonious old hypocrite. The
thing that bothers me is, how much does Williams know of my father's
affairs that he has not told my mother. Surely he would not dare to be
crooked in such a thing as that."

"If you could locate Mr. Kieser, he probably could tell you some things,"
slowly added Mr. Allen. "Well, there is one thing sure: 'Murder will
out,' and with the suspicion I now have, I'll keep quiet, keep my eyes
open, and see what I can learn. That Cheyenne claim must be worth
holding, or he wouldn't send men away up there to do that work. That
costs money!"

"Don't worry about it, anyway, boy. I wouldn't be building any air
castles concerning that gold mine. It was, no doubt, just like thousands
of others here in these mountains--"

"I know that, but I want to see the mine that my father dug. Do you
suppose I ever will?"

"Who can tell but that you have already seen it on this trip? I don't
know, but let's go to bed. To-morrow we must find that cabin site, or go
home empty-handed. I think we'll get over into these little canyons on
the north and work over to the railroad. If we don't find a place there,
somewhere, then I'm afraid there is none. Most all of this land is Forest
Reserve, and we'll have to get a ninety-nine years' lease if we locate on
Government land; but you know, I've been thinking we could build a dandy
cabin of these large quaking-aspens, if we could find a place in a good
grove. Build a frame, then fit them in, standing them on end, and line
with building paper, and perhaps boards. These aspens cut very easily in
the winter when they are cold. What would you think of that idea?"

Willis was already nodding by the fire, and did not answer.

"Good-night," said Mr. Allen, as he pulled his blanket up about him.
"Sleep tight, and no dreams, mind you."

CHAPTER X

A Glimpse of Buffalo Roost

The little party gathered about the fire the next morning, cooking the
last breakfast of the trip. To-morrow they would be home again. Would
they take back a glowing description of a cabin site, situated in some
cool forest nook, in the shadow of some mighty crag, or would they be
forced to disappoint the anxious crowd of fellows who would be waiting
for their return?