"You never can be too careful about the servants," observed the latter, interpreting the unasked question. "If our talk should be overheard, it might defeat my plans." If anything were needed to strain the boy's wonder to the breaking point, the mysterious words and actions furnished it and eagerly he demanded: "Why have you sent for detectives?" "Ah, you read my message," smiled his father. "Well, I suppose it's natural. I sent for them because I want to use them in the role of friends of mine of great wealth." "Then where do I come in?" "Just have patience and I'll tell you," returned the banker, lighting a cigar. "Now listen attentively. If there's anything that isn't clear to you, ask about it. I've time to explain now, and later I might not have. "In the morning you are to drop around to this 'Howard's' tent. I don't believe that's his right name, but never mind. You are to forget all unpleasantness and to act as though you wished to be friendly with him. "During the course of your conversation you can mention that you have heard that he and his companions have some rich mines in Colorado. Ask him where they are and get him to talk about them as much as he will. "And be sure you remember where he says they are." "But suppose he won't talk?" "Then you are to say that you have some money you want to invest and that when you heard he was on his way to New York to raise money to buy some more mines you spoke to me about it and that I told you if Mr. Howard could prove that the mines were all right, show us his maps, and by the way, make a special point of that, I would let you put in your money and might interest some of my friends. "In this way, we can find out where the supposed mines are and wire out there to see if anyone by the name of Howard is known." "But if they are swindlers won't they get wise and jump before you can receive a reply?" "Not if I know it. That's where the detectives will come in. "When they get here, I shall let it be known that they are capitalists come to arrange some deals with me. When I have laid the case before them, we'll call on this Howard, giving as an excuse my supposed friends' desire to get a chance at the mines. "When the detectives have seen the strangers, some of them will keep them under surveillance all the time. "If you do your part and find out where the properties are, one of them will be stationed at the telegraph office to await the reply. "Should they take alarm and try to get away, it will be evidence that they are guilty of fraud and we'll arrest them on the spot. If the answer proves that the men are what they pretend to be and that the mines really exist, no one will be the wiser. The detectives can say they have decided to put their money nearer home and go back to Kansas City. "_But I don't believe the answer will say they are known!_" "Now, is what you are to do clear in your mind?"