"I guess I'll ride along with you, Mr. Reade," he said dryly.

Horses were brought, and the three mounted and rode away. In such
sizzling heat as beat down from the noonday sun Tom had not the heart to
urge his mount to speed. The trio were soon at the edge of Paloma,
which they had to enter through one of the streets occupied by the
rougher characters.

Just as they rode down by the first buildings a low whistle sounded on
the heavy, dead air.

"Signal that the locomotive is headed this way," announced Hawkins
grimly. "Look out for the crossing, Mr. Reade!"

Hardly had the superintendent finished speaking when a sharp hiss
sounded from an open window. Then another and more hisses, from
different buildings.

"A few snakes left in the grass," Tom remarked jokingly.

"Oh, you've stirred up a nest of 'em, Mr. Reade," rejoined the
superintendent.

Tom laughed as Harry added:

"Let's hope that there are no poisonous reptiles among them. It would
be rough on poisonous snakes to have Tom find them."

Then the three horsemen turned the corner near the Mansion House.
Superintendent Hawkins looked grave as he noted a crowd before the