"That's the quality of the rock. It is red only when the sun or
bright moonlight is shining on it. Isn't really red, you see."

Tad did not see, but his mind was too full of his own troubles to
permit him to interest it deeply in the subject of the Ruby Mountain.

Continuing on their journey, the searchers eventually rode into the
Red Star camp. By this time the entire camp was interested in what it
was pleased to call "the man hunt." Somehow they were unable to free
their minds of the idea that the disappearance of the members of the
Pony Rider party was due to the mysterious band that had been
terrorizing that part of the country for a long time.

Tom Phipps, assistant superintendent of the mine, had awaited the
return of his rescue party with an impatience that he made no effort
to conceal. He met them, mounted on his pony, as they entered the
mine property. At first he was inclined to make the men turn about
and go over the ground again, but after learning from the leader of
the party the precautions they had taken, he decided that further
search to the north would be futile.

What to do next he did not know, and in the absence of Mr. Munson, who
had not yet returned, he was considering sending another party out to
cover the territory south of the mining camp.

Stacy Brown had come in with his guide and the mules, and having
satisfied his appetite, was in as good humor as usual. If he worried
about the disappearance of his companions, he kept his trouble well to
himself. Nevertheless he was waiting for Tad and the rescue party
when they rode in.