o a slice of bacon which he ate from his
fingers in a most democratic fashion. "My name's Conway. Bill
Conway. What's yours?"

Professor Zepplin introduced himself and the boys, which Conway
acknowledged by polite bows. The man was easy in manner, and his
smiling face led the boys to warm to him at once---all save Tad
Butler, who, without appearing to do so, was observing the visitor
keenly.

The man was slight, almost boyish in figure. His hair was dark, as
were his eyes, the latter having a trick of growing suddenly darker
than their natural color, seeming to sink further back in his head
under some sudden stress of emotion. The brown fingers were slender
and nervous in their movements.

"I'll bet he would be quick on the trigger," was Tad's mental conclusion.

"Are you from these parts?" asked the professor by way of starting the
conversation.

"El Paso, when I'm at home. And you?"

"From the north."

"Down here for your health?"

"Partly. Mostly for an outing."

"Just so. I reckon I've heard something about you."

"Maybe it was I whom you heard about," suggested Chunky.

"Can't say as I have," answered Conway, directing a quick glance at
the fat boy.

"You don't know what you've missed," answered Stacy solemnly, helping
himself to five slices of bacon.

"You didn't happen to meet with any of the Rangers this morning, did
you?" questioned Professor Zepplin.

It was the professor's turn to get a sharp look now.

"Rangers? No. Why do you ask?"

"Because we were looking for some of them."

"What for?"

"We wanted to see them about a little matter," hastily interposed Tad
Butler.

"What matter?"

There was no stopping the professor.

"Why, we camped with a body of them last night. With Lieutenant
Withem, a most affable gentleman. They ran away and left us early
this morning. However, I suppose they had good reasons."

"Joe Withem, eh?"

"Yes, that was the man."

"How many Rangers did behave with him?"

"Twelve, wasn't it, boys?"

"Something like that," replied Tad, observing their visitor narrowly.
"However, Professor, I hardly think we should speak of them. You see
they were on some secret mission and---"

"It's all right, young man. You are safe in confiding in me. In fact,
I am going to confide a little secret to you to show you that you have
made no mistake."

"We shall preserve your secret, sir," answered the professor with great
dignity.

"I thought you wou