“Yes, I see that.”

“Then which direction would he take if, as I think, he is in league with the train-robbing syndicate, which we have persuaded ourselves to think made their headquarters at Green River, but in this direction?  We have learned that others of those we believe to be in it are to be the guests of this ranch, and—­”

“I see.  He could not well bring the red car to the ranch house.”

“That’s it.”

“Then where do you suppose he’s going with it?”

“There’s no better place to hide it than in those very ‘bad lands,’ if I am guessing right, at the rough land yonder.”

“True.  What are you going to do about it?”

“I’m going to find that red car and my friend, Checkers.”

“Not alone, Ted.  You’re going to get the other boys to help you, aren’t you?”

“Now is the accepted time.  I’m going right away now.  But it would be a good scheme for you to ride back to the ranch and tell Bud and the boys quietly what I am about, and have them come out in case I should need help.”

“I hate to see you ride away alone, Ted.  You can’t tell what there is over there.  Better let me go along.”

“No, Stella, it would be no use.  You know that I appreciate your courage and skill in every way, but this, probably, will be no work for girls.”

Stella pouted at this.  She did not like the idea of the long ride back to the ranch house alone.

She looked at Ted to see if he really was in earnest, and when she saw the look in his face she turned back with a wave of the hand and a “So long!” and started for the ranch house.

“Tell Bud to bring three or four of the boys out here with him,” shouted Ted after her.  “Thank you, Stella.”

But she only nodded her head and pursued her way, and Ted, after looking after her for a moment, rode forward.  He had not seen the red car for several minutes, it having disappeared behind a rocky butte.

Having a fair horse, he gave it the gad and struck into a gallop.  Soon he entered upon the rough land, and from a rise saw a stream below and a herd of cattle beyond, where the prairie began again; the railroad, and a small red station house, with two or three low buildings about it.

He now understood that he had seen the red car on the far side of the ravine, through which the stream flowed, and went down to the stream, his horse sliding on its haunches amid a clatter of broken clay and pebbles.

He was soon across and clambered up the other wall of the ravine, and there in the clay found the impression of the tires of the red car.

“I’m all right now,” he muttered to himself.  “On the track of Checkers and the robbers’ automobile.  I wonder where it will end.”

He had no difficulty in following the tracks of the automobile for a considerable distance, when the ravine ran out on that side and the bank of the stream flattened; and he rode along it, following the trail with ease.