"Not a trace. However, Mr. Adair, it is no easy way to get out of the ravine with those stout heavy bank safes, and I advise that a guard be left in the vicinity." "You have solved the mystery of the pay car, Fairbanks," said the road officer in a gratified tone--"now to find out what has become of the plunder." "You will remain here, Mr. Adair?" inquired Ralph. "Until I have made a thorough investigation and placed my men, certainly," responded the detective. "I wish to put in a few hours at a side line investigation, if you please, and may not see you again until tomorrow, and I wish to take Dallas with me." "All right," said Adair. He looked as if he would like to know more of Ralph's plans, but he had too much confidence in his young helper to question him. As to Ralph, he had a decided reason for not explaining to the road officer. Glen Palmer was on his mind strongly, and a good many strange things that Glen had told him had impressed him with the conviction that the grandfather of the unfortunate Glen had been a pretty important element in the plots of the conspirators all along the line. Zeph, while at the camp of the plotters, had heard considerable they did not intend him to hear. They had spoken of the Palmers--grandfather and grandson, many times. "From what they said," declared Zeph, "I could easily decide that they discovered old Palmer, knowing him to be just the man they could use. Without Glen knowing it, they got him away from home several times. They played on his simple vanity, making him believe they would later get him a great job with a big railroad. Glen was heart-broken when he discovered this. The crowd finally got his grandfather in captivity. Glen tried to rescue him, and they caged him up, too." "I begin to understand the circumstances under which the poor fellow sent those two warning messages," murmured Ralph. "Thief or no thief, he was loyal to me." "I think it, too, and I think he could tell you lots," said Zeph. "I know his grandfather could. Both escaped finally, but where they went I don't know." Ralph knew at least where Glen was. He remembered the town at which his arrest had been reported. It was less than twenty miles distant, and they caught a fast freight. Ralph went at once to the workhouse of the thriving little town. He inquired for Glen Palmer, but was informed that the following day was visitor's day, and that the rules were never broken except on special orders from the superintendent, who was absent at present. "I will call tomorrow, then," said Ralph. "I wish, though, you would see Glen Palmer and tell him so. He may have some important message for me." "You guessed it, sure enough," reported the prison guard, returning with a folded fragment of a note. "Young Palmer was frantic to know you was here, and says please don't forget and come tomorrow." "I will certainly be here, or some one representing me," promised Ralph, and then he read the note, which ran: