ld. Lean closer and I'll tell you," almost whispered
the visitor.

CHAPTER XIV

WHEN THE AIR GREW CHILL

"I'm a Ranger, too," confided the visitor.

"What, you a Ranger?" exclaimed the professor.

"Of Captain McKay's band?"

"You've hit it, pard."

"Well, well, this is indeed a pleasure. We have not had the honor of
meeting Captain McKay as yet, but we hope to do so, ere long. He had
promised to meet us last night, but I understand was called away on
some business pertaining to his calling."

"You would like to meet Captain McKay?"

"Indeed I should. I understand he is a most remarkable man, that he
has performed many deeds of valor."

"Pray stop!" laughed Conway. "You actually make me blush."

The outfit gazed at the visitor inquiringly.

"Now that you have said so much I am going to confide another little
secret to you. I'm McKay."

"What? Not Captain McKay, the leader of the Rangers?"

"The same."

Professor Zepplin thrust a brown hand across the table, grasping the
hand of their visitor.

"Well, this is indeed a surprise. I can't begin to tell you how glad
we are to see you," answered the professor with enthusiasm.

"Same to you, pardner," grinned the captain. "You see I didn't want
to open up too freely until I was sure to whom I was talking. Of
course if you and Withem are cahoots, it's all right."

"It certainly is all right. We had the pleasure of being of some
service to Lieutenant-----"

"Ouch!" howled Stacy. Tad had tipped the pot of hot coffee into the
fat boy's lap, and for a few moments confusion reigned.

"Don't talk too much," whispered Butler leaning over to brush away
some drops that had fallen on the professor's shirt.

"Eh? Eh? What's that?"

Tad was embarrassed. He began speaking of something else. Professor
Zepplin did not repeat his question.

"I understand my men picked up a fellow named Dunk Tucker a night ago?"
asked the captain.

"Yes, yes, indeed. Mr. Butler there is the one who is really responsible
for the capture of Tucker, however."

"You don't say!" wondered the visitor.

"Exactly. Tad, will you tell the captain how you came to capture the
man Tucker?"

"If you will pardon me, I would rather not."

"He's too modest. I'll tell you about it," chimed in Stacy Brown.
Stacy, once wound up, would continue to operate until he had run down.
He told the whole story from beginning to end, including the fact that
he himself had been