It was Paul this time who made the discovery. He had been unfortunate on this visit to Rockspur, in having sprained his ankle, which was slow to heal. This had kept him in the background at times when his two chums were meeting all sorts of lively adventures. Frank and Lanky had retired to the room which they shared in common, and chose to confer regarding what they should take with them and what leave behind. Paul was in the bunk-house listening-in, there being something in the air that night which he particularly wished to hear. "Well, here's our corrected list," Lanky announced, holding up a bit of paper. "I reckon we've cut it down as close to the bone as we can, and everything I've not crossed off we believe we'll need. Dad will do the same, for I happen to know he always used to travel light when years ago he went into camp. But here comes Paul, so now we can hop into bed and get some sleep. "Oh! will you?" said Paul, entering in time to overhear this last remark from Lanky. "As our old chum, Jack Eastwick, used always to say, 'maybe, maybe not.' I'm bringing you news that may make you sit up and take notice. That sly little rascal with the bushel head is skulking around again! I glimpsed him while crossing over from the bunk-house!" CHAPTER VI ON GUARD "Douse the glim, first of all, Lanky!" said Frank Allen without a second's hesitation. Frank seemed always ready for action, which was one of his strong points. Lanky thereupon blew out the lamp, and the three boys found themselves in vague darkness. The late rising moon was above the horizon, but the western side of the ranch house was wrapped in the shadows. "Now, let's keep mum and watch," whispered Frank. "He'll think the last comer has turned in, and the coast will soon be clear. Pretty near time for the boys to shut up shop over there in the radio den." "Getting ready to wind-up when I left," murmured Paul. "Lige has a rule, you know, that every puncher must hit the hay by eleven, so's to be up with the sunrise." Silence fell upon them. Minutes crept on as the boys crouched by the window, eager for the first glimpse of the strange little unknown man whose former mysterious actions had so engrossed their curiosity. Now and then one of them would stir, or it might be heave a heavy sigh, as though this pent-up enthusiasm was making serious inroads on his patience. The cramped position in which they maintained their vigil added to the discomfort of the situation. For some little time the boys heard the voices and subdued laughter of the punchers, as some of them came out, to wander over in the direction of the horse corral, in order to have a last look, so as to make sure all was right in that quarter.