A TRAIL IS FOUND AND LOST


By this time several carriages had come up, also a number of folks
on bicycles and on foot, and to all of these the situation had to
be explained. Among the last to put in an appearance was Captain
Putnam, and he was at once all attention, and desired to know how
seriously Dick and Frank were injured.

"It was an outrageous piece of work," he said.

"Still, to be fair, we must admit that the broken brake is largely
responsible for what happened, after the start down hill was made."

"But I couldn't help the brake breaking," pleaded the general
utility man. "I did my best, and was thrown out --"

"I am not finding fault with you, Snugger," cut in the captain,
shortly. "Let it pass, and leave the stage to be taken care of by
the Cedarville blacksmith. But I wish we might lay hands on the
rascal who is responsible for the start of the mishap."

"They have found a coin such as we used when as we were in Africa,"
said Dick. "I think that furnishes a clew."

"In what way, Rover?"

"Those coins were also used by Dan Baxter and Josiah Crabtree."