is name, when he had scratched it down,
looked like anything but Dick Hamilton. Nor did the others do any
better.

They were shown to their rooms, and, as it was late afternoon, they
decided to defer beginning their investigations until the next day. The
supper was good but plain, though the boys were more interested in
watching the men about them, and hearing them talk, than they were in
eating, hungry as they were.

They slept soundly, though Dick was awakened once or twice by revolver
shots and loud yelling. He thought someone had been hurt, but on
inquiring from a porter, passing through the hall, learned that he need
have no cause for alarm.

"Land love yo', son!" said the porter, a burly Westerner. "Them's only
th' boys gittin' rid of some of their animal spirits. Don't worry none.
They seldom shoots this way, an' if they does they aims high, so they
only busts the top window lights. Yo' ain't got nothin' t' be askeered
of."

But though Dick was not exactly easy in his mind his rest was not
disturbed by any bullets coming through his window, though there was
considerable shooting all night.

"I think we'll take a trip out to the mines right after breakfast,"
decided Dick, when the boys had gathered in his room after dressing.
"I'll hire a big carriage and we can all go. I inquired about them, and
I learned that the Dolphin and Hop Toad mines are close together, a few
miles outside of town."

"I think I'll stay around here," decided Tim.

"Why?" asked Dick.

"Because I want to see if anyt'ing happens. Youse kin go out to de holes
in de ground. I'll see 'em later if dere worth lookin' at. But I t'ink
I'll mosey around de hotel a while."

"Well, maybe it will be a good plan," agreed Dick. "We can't tell what
sort of a game Vanderhoof is up to. Now, come on down to breakfast,
boys."

After the meal Dick hired a large three-seated buckboard, and he and his
chums were driven off toward the mines. The news had quickly gone around
that they were young college students, who had come West to get
practical illustrations bearing on their studies.

Tim stood on the hotel steps looking after Dick and his chums. As the
carriage disappeared around a turn in the road someone came up to the
newsboy and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned quickly and saw,
standing beside him, a well-dressed lad about his own age. The youth
wore a showy watch chain and assumed a confident air that was not at all
in keeping with his