"I was only a hanger-on," whined the man. "I didn't want to go into the game at all. The greasers plotted to shut you up in the cave, but the landslide was bigger than they calculated on. I got caught in it, and that's the last I know of until I found myself here, knocked out." "They stole our gold," said Bob. "Got it, did they? I was thinkin' they might. Oh, how I suffer! Can't you do something for me--now I've given you the story straight?" said Gannon. "Did they say where they would go, if they got the gold?" "The greasers have a hiding place beyond the mountain--at a spot called Five Falls. They were going there to divide the spoils and then each man was to go his own way." "Five Falls," repeated Si. "I have heard of such a place, but I don't know exactly where it is." "Didn't Mr. West speak of it?" asked Bob. "Yes!" shouted Si. "I remember now. He went over there prospecting." "Then he must know how to reach it," put in Mark. "Shall I go after him?" "Perhaps it would be best. But we can speak to Maybe Dixon first. He may have some clew." They could do little for Soapy Gannon but give him a drink and bind up the wound on his face. But they promised to come back later on, for which he was thankful. "I've got my fill of Sag Ruff," said the sufferer. "Instead of coming to help me he went after that gold. I suppose he thinks if I'm dead he can have so much more of the plunder." "Well, if you'll agree to testify against those men--providing we can capture them--I'll do what I can for you," said Mark, and Bob and Si said the same. "All right, it's a go," gasped Soapy Gannon, and then became silent, for it hurt him greatly to talk. As tired as they were, the three boys hurried back to what was left of the camp. Maybe Dixon came forward to meet them. "Glad to know you are all right," he said to Si. "Have you any news?" asked Bob. "No," and the old miner looked much discouraged. "We have," went on the former sailor lad. The face of Maybe Dixon brightened considerably when he heard the news they had to tell. "I'll go after Andy West myself," he said. "I'll get some of the other men to help us too. That gang has either got to be captured or wiped out." As late as it was he set off to the gulch settlement, going down on muleback. He rode with all possible speed, and burst in on the West family as they were sitting down to supper. "I want you to take us over to Five Falls at once," he said to Mr. West. "What's up?" asked Andrew West in astonishment. "We have been robbed and the thieves have gone to that place, so we have learned. Can you show us where it is?" "Certainly." "I want some men to go along. Is Jackson here?" "I think so."