last night?"

"I'll tell you. I think some of your enemies have gotten wind of what is
going on."

"You mean about the new claim I'm going to stake?"

"Hush!" the other cautioned him. "No use in talking secrets out here. Come
to my room and I'll tell you all about it. Perhaps it may be well to take
Jack Bailey into your confidence a little later. You can decide on that
after I've told you just what came to me."

"Well, it all seems a bit mysterious," commented Mr. Argent, "but maybe you
know what you're talking about."

And as Jack rode off on his usual trip, the two mining men went into the
hotel deeply engaged in conversation.

Jack had several stops to make that morning before getting on the more
lonesome part of the trail, where he could give Sunger free rein to make as
good time as possible. In some places this would only be a walk, for the
road was treacherous and difficult. In other places along a comparatively
level slope, or down grade, Sunger would make up for lost time.

As Jack made a turn in the road, he saw, riding ahead of him, two men on
horseback. They turned in their saddles at the sound of his steed's
hoof-beats, and Jack recognized one of the men as Jake Tantrell. The other
man was a stranger to the pony rider.

"I hope Jake doesn't take it into his head to give me some mean talk now,"