In his room that evening Jack's meditations as to what Chowden's return might mean were interrupted by the entrance of Nat Anderson. He seemed quite excited and was waving a letter over his head. "Great news," he exclaimed. "What is?" asked Jack. "Some one left you a thousand dollars?" "No, it's an invitation from my uncle, Morris Kent, who has a big ranch near Denville, Colorado, to come out and spend the summer vacation with him." "Fine!" cried Jack. "But that isn't the best part," added Nat. "He says I can bring two chums with me, and I want you to be one." "Do you mean it?" asked Jack. "Sure." "Who else will you take?" There was a noise in the corridor. CHAPTER X A MEETING WITH CHOWDEN "Studying or talking?" asked a voice in the hall outside of Jack's room, and the door was pushed open to admit John Smith. Jack and Nat looked at each other. The same thought seemed to come to both of them. "Him!" they exclaimed together. "What's this, a game, or a joke?" "A little of both," Jack said. "Tell him about it, Nat." Nat explained the receipt of his uncle's invitation. "We were just wondering who would make the third member of the party, when you came in," he said, "and we both decided on you." "It was very kind of you to invite me," John said. "I guess I can arrange to go. Where is this ranch?" "Near Denville, Colorado," replied Nat. John started and looked at Jack. "Nothing the matter with that place, is there?" asked Jack. "No. On the contrary it couldn't be better," replied John. "That's where we want to go to settle the mystery--" He stopped, evidently on account of Nat's presence. "Oh, Nat knows all about it," said Jack. "I see what you're driving at." "Yes," went on John. "Denville is not many miles from Denver, and at the latter place, you remember, we can go to the Capital Bank, and get the address of Orion Tevis." "Yes, and then maybe we can locate my father," Jack exclaimed. "Say, Nat, this couldn't have happened better. It's fine of you to think of me." "The same here," put in John. "Well, I don't know of any fellows I'd rather have than you two," replied Nat. "Thanks," his two friends answered. "I'm going to write a reply at once," Nat went on. "I'll go to town and mail it to-night. I guess Dr. Mead will let me." "Let's all three go," suggested Jack. "I'll ask permission. We've not been caught in any scrapes lately, and our records are fairly good. It's early." Dr. Mead readily gave permission for the three chums to go to the village where the post-office was.