"We've still got a chance to get him," Dick declared. "He must be around somewhere. That note--you saw the note we found, didn't you, Mr. Hawkins?--well, that indicated we might look for another visit from the coot. The Kid will be glad to see him, eh, Kid?" "An' I don't mean maybe!" Yellin' Kid exploded. "Stealin' the best bronc I ever had--just when I was gettin' him broken in proper--an' me away out here in the wilderness with nothin' to ride----" "I'll get you a pony," the deputy offered. "There's one I know of that's a beaut--fast and strong. Friend of mine wants to sell her." "I'd be sure grateful if you'd do that, mister. It sort of hits me hard, losin' a good bronc like that." "It wasn't your fault, Kid," Bud hastened to say. "And Dad will insist on buying you another. So if Mr. Hawkins knows of one that will suit you, take it. You'll fix him up with a horse then, Mr. Hawkins?" "Depend on it," the tall deputy declared. "Now to business. I've told you boys all I knew about the way smuggling is being done around here, but I didn't do it just to be interestin'. I want you-all to help me." "Sure!" "That's what we're here for!" "No, we're not, Kid," Bud corrected. "We're here to herd sheep. But we'll certainly help Mr. Hawkins all we can." "Here's the dope, boys," and the deputy leaned closer. "This Delton may or may not have been doin' business here at the ranch. If he has been, an' I'm goin' to figger that way, his friends still expect him to be here. He left in too much of a hurry to send out word. An' here's where you-all come in. "I want you to pretend the ranch hasn't changed hands. Just lay low for a while, not travelin' 'round much, an' we'll see what happens. I don't mind tellin' you we got another tip, that some Chinks were goin' to be rushed across within the next few days. Can't say just when, but soon now. It's a big load this time, an' if things work the way I think they will, they'll try to land them at this ranch." "You mean they'll think Delton is still here?" Nort inquired excitedly. "Yes. Of course I may be wrong--that may not be the plans at all. But I've got pretty good reasons for thinkin' I'm right. We sort of suspected that the Shootin' Star was bein' used for illegal purposes, but we never had a chance to prove it. The place was too well guarded, and without a warrant you can't go on another's property. I knew we'd not find anything if we did search the place, for the Chinks are only landed at night, and shipped away the next morning; scattered all over the country. They all look so much alike it's hard to tell 'em apart." "So you never really saw Delton?" asked Nort. "Nope--never have. He never came to town--whatever stuff he wanted he sent his men in for." "Told you!" Billee Dobb cried. "I knew he never saw the geezer! Just like I said--nobody was allowed in here with a badge on."