"Papa is going to see a man about some horses. He wants to buy a few more good ones, if he can." "It's a pity we can't find out what became of the others," went on Dave. It took the girls some time to prepare for the journey to the railroad station, so the start from Star Ranch was not made until after two o'clock. Mr. Endicott rode in advance, and the young folks paired off in couples after him. When they got to the bridge Dave was much surprised to see a couple of men at work repairing the structure. They were putting down some planking that was bound to last a long while. "Mr. Merwell must have opened his heart at last," said Dave, to the railroad president. "Not at all, Dave; I am having this work done," was Mr. Endicott's reply. "But I thought you said it was up to Mr. Merwell to keep this bridge in repair." "So it is, but as he won't do anything, rather than have a quarrel, I am repairing it myself." "Do you think he wants to sell out? Maybe that is his reason for not spending money in repairs." "He will sell out, but his price is very high--too high to suit the man who wants to buy." Leaving the vicinity of the bridge, the party continued on the way to the railroad station. The train was not yet in, but it soon arrived and on it came the man Mr. Endicott wished to see. From the train also stepped Hank Snogger. The ranch hand had evidently been to a barber in the city, for he was shaven and his hair was closely trimmed. "He looks like quite a different person," remarked Belle. "He always wore his hair long and straggly before." "Yes, and he wasn't any too clean," answered Dave. "Now he is well washed and brushed." Hank Snogger walked around the station on an errand, and then came up to where a horse was waiting for him. As he did this he passed quite close to the boys and girls and gave the former a cold stare. "Do you know, I feel sure I have seen somebody that looks like him," said Dave in a whisper. "I said so before. But I can't place the man." "Yes, I've seen somebody that looked like him, too," added Roger. "It was while we were coming out here. Now let me think." And he rubbed his chin reflectively. "Here's a letter about that boy we helped, Charley Gamp," said Phil, who had just received the mail. "Charley Gamp!" cried Dave. "That's it--that's the same face! This Hank Snogger looks exactly like Charley Gamp!" CHAPTER XXV THE BEGINNING OF THE GRAND HUNT Dave's announcement produced a little sensation, and for the moment his chums stared at him in astonishment. "Come to think of it, that man does look like the little newsboy," said Roger, slowly. "Do you suppose they can be related?" "I'd hate to think that Charley Gamp was related to such a fellow," said Phil. "Snogger isn't a nice sort to have anything to do with." "Mr. Endicott said he didn't use to be so bad," answered Dave. "It is only lately--since he went to work for Mr. Merwell--that he has grown dissolute."