n in New York
City who is one of the minor officials of the Oil Trust. It is too
long to read to you. But from it I gather that Rollins is a spy in the
employ of this official."

"Say, Dad," declared Bob, "this is too much for me. If the Octopus is
responsible for our troubles, then where do the Mexicans come in? And
vice versa?"

"That's what I had in mind, Bob, when I said this discovery
complicated matters," said Mr. Temple.

"Sh," warned Jack, from the window toward which he was glancing at
that moment. He sprang forward to see better. "Here comes Mr. Rollins
now. And in a tearing hurry, too."

Rollins jumped from his horse and ran along the porch to his room.
They heard the door slam, and then sounds of a furious searching being
carried on. The boys and Mr. Temple, gathered around the door and
window, looked at each other significantly.

"Found he dropped his papers and came back for them," whispered Frank.

A moment later Rollins called for Gabby Pete from the door of his
room. The cook hurried to him from the kitchen.

"Pete, did I drop an envelope--a long blue envelope--at breakfast?"
asked Rollins, making no attempt to conceal his anxiety.

Before Gabby Pete could reply, Jack stepped impulsively from the
doorway.

"Yes, you did," said he. "Pete gave it to me to keep for you."

"Where is it?" Rollins brusquely demanded.

"Step into my room," said Jack.

Rollins complied. When he saw Mr. Temple, Bob and Frank, he recoiled
as if to flee. But Jack barred the doorway. Rollins was speechless.
Mr. Temple advanced, holding out the document and the letter.

"Your duplicity is discovered, Rollins," he said. "I make no apology
for having opened your sealed envelope, because last night Jack
Hampton discovered you at the radio station with Remedios, and we knew
you were faithless to your trust. Come, make a clean breast of it."

Rollins's face went white.

"You, you read the letter?" he gasped.

Mr. Temple merely nodded.

Rollins seemed to shrink and grow older before their eyes. Suddenly he
sank into a chair. His shoulders sagged. Pressing his hands to his
eyes, he bent forward and began to cry. Not the noisy crying of a
child but great, dry, wrenching sobs.

"Come on, fellows," said Jack in a low voice. "Let's leave him to Mr.
Temple."

The older man nodded approval and the three boys filed out, closing
the door behind them. Simultaneously each drew a long breath of
relief. Bob was the first to s