Newnham will
care about a little thing such as I've promised the men? Harry,
our president is a badly worried man, though he doesn't allow
himself to show it. Once the road is finished, operating and
safe, he won't care what money he has to spend in rewards. He-----"

Tom did not finish his words. Instead he dug his heels into his
pony, bringing his left hand down hard on that animal's flank.

"Yi, yi, yi! Git!" called Tom, bending low over his mount's neck.
He drove straight ahead. Hazelton looked astonished for a space
of five seconds, then started in pursuit of his chum and chief.

It was not long ere Tom reined in, holding up a hand as a signal
to Harry to do the same thing.

"Here, hold my horse, and stay right here," ordered the young chief.

"Tom, what on earth-----"

Tom Reade was already a hundred yards away, running in amid the
brush. At last he halted, studying the ground earnestly. Then
Reade disappeared.

"One thing I know, anyway," muttered the puzzled Hazelton, "Tom
is not crazy, and he doesn't dash off like that unless he has
something real on his mind." The minutes passed. At last Tom
came back, walking energetically. He took his horse's bridle
and leaded into saddle.

"Harry, ride back, hard, and send me two or three of the railroad
detectives, unless you happen to meet some of them this side of
the camp. I want the men on the rush. Don't fail to tell 'em
that."

"Any---er---explanations" queried Hazelton.

"For you---yes---but don't take the time to pass the explanation
on to the men. Just hustle 'em here. When I started my horse
forward it was because I caught sight of 'Gene Black's head over
the bush tops. I found a few of his footprints, then lost the
trail. Send Dave Fulsbee along, too, if you have the luck to
see him. I want 'Gene Black hunted down before he does some big
mischief. Now---ride!"

Harry Hazelton went back over the trail at a gallop.

Not until he reached camp did he come upon Fulsbee's men. These
he hustled out to find Tom.

Two hours later Reade came back over the trail, at a slow jog.
The young chief engineer looked more worried than Hazelton had
ever seen his chum look before.

CHAPTER XXI

THE TRAP AT THE FINISH

A number of days passed, days full of worry for the young chief
engineer. Yet, outwardly, Tom Reade was as good-humored and cheery
as ever.

He was sure that his eyes had played him no trick, and that he
really ha