“What deeds?” snarled the man. “You’re trying to rob me. Better let my wallet alone.” But there was nothing in the nature of deeds about the fellow, although Chet examined his clothes carefully. The boy’s hopes sank very low as he proceeded with the search. The man snarled at him and threatened, but Chet thought that he seemed disturbed himself over the result of the investigation. Chet went toward Tony and that scoundrel cried: “You won’t get nothin’ off ’n me, young Havens. Sue a beggar and get his rags—that’s all. Don’t know nothin’ about no deeds. Go away!” But Chet insisted on searching him, and Dig helped. Then, when they had come to a resultless finish, the two boys stood up and looked at each other. They had found and made prisoners the men who they knew had robbed them; but the main object to be attained—the recovery of the precious papers Chet was carrying to Grub Stake—seemed just as far off as ever. Neither of the captives was in possession of the deeds. CHAPTER XXV—CHET’S DETERMINATION “By the last hoptoad that was chased out of Ireland!” Dig vowed. “Have we chased these snoozers all this way for nothing?” “Let’s search ’em again,” insisted Chet grimly. “They took those deeds out of my pocket and they have them somewhere.” “Don’t you boys maul me all over no more,” said Tony complainingly. “I tell ye, ye won’t find nothin’ on me—and ye tickle. I never could stand being tickled. Lemme up,” and the rough fellow grinned up into their faces in a most knowing way. “No,” said Chet slowly. “We’ll not let you up yet. I think you’d look pretty going back to Silver Run with a rope around you.” “Back to the Run?” questioned Dig, puzzled. “No use our going on to Grub Stake if we can’t find the deeds,” said Chet sternly. “And what do you suppose the boys at father’s mine would do to this scamp if they got hold of him again?” “Aw—say!” growled Tony. “You’re too fresh. I don’t want to go back to the mine.” “Then where are those papers?” Chet demanded earnestly. “Don’t ask me about ’em. I never had ’em,” declared the man. “But you’ve seen them? Your partner had them? And he has them yet, I believe,” cried Chet, turning sharply on the other villain. “Find out!” snarled that individual. “I’ll find out before I let you free,” promised the lad. “Say!” exclaimed Tony. “Don’t hold me for Steve’s sins. I took your coffee-pot and truck and you got ’em back. Now let up on a feller.” “Why should I?” Chet demanded seriously. “I’ve got to find the deeds.” “I ain’t got ’em—honest!” declared Tony. “I wouldn’t take your word for it,” growled Dig, in the background. “Well! you might as well believe me,” almost whined the big fellow. “I don’t want you boys to keep me tied up this a-way.” “Shut up, you sniveler!” commanded the man called Steve, from the other side of the fire.