Nort and Dick admitted to one another, afterward, that at first they
believed the two professors to be joking. They imagined that the
cultured scientists were merely indulging in a bit of fun, from much of
which they were necessarily barred while in the class room. But a
sharp look at the faces of the men who were at the head of an
expedition, conducting a mysterious search, showed the boys that
earnestness was the keynote.

"You--you're going to keep us here?" questioned Dick.

"For a while, yes," said Professor Wright, and there was more snap and
decision in his voice than before.

"It is much your own fault," added Professor Blair.

"_Our_ fault!" spluttered Nort, his temper rapidly rising. "Why, what
have we done except to help you when you needed it? And now all we ask
is that you put us in the way of getting back to Diamond X."

"That is just it," said Professor Wright. "We don't want you to go
back to Diamond X at once."

"Why not?" hotly demanded Nort. "What right have you got to hold us
here? You can't! We'll get away in spite of you!" and his hand, half
unconsciously, perhaps, moved toward his holster. But he was surprised
to find his wrist seized in a firm grip, while he was violently swung
around, his weapon being removed by some one who had come silently up
behind him. And this some one was Del Pinzo, into whose sneering,
crafty, swarthy face Nort angrily gazed.

Before he could say anything, Nort saw Silas Thorp slip up to Dick, and
take that lad's weapon out of the holster. Dick had no time to draw
it, even if such had been his intention, which, the lad said later, it
was not.

"What do you mean? What's this game anyhow? What right have you to
keep us prisoners here and take our guns?" shouted Nort. He took a
step toward Del Pinzo, but there was something so sinister in the
attitude of the half breed, albeit he did not menace the boy with the
weapon, that Nort shrank back.

"I think you had better submit quietly," said Professor Blair. "We
intend absolutely no violence, or ill-treatment of you, unless you make
that necessary. We admit that perhaps we are acting illegally, and in
an unusual manner, but, in a way, you brought this on yourselves, boys.
You will not be detained long. In fact, if our plans work out right,
you may depart for your ranch this evening."

"Acting illegally!" spluttered Nort. "I should say you _were_! We'll
have you arrested for this, you--you--big---