As they came closer Teddy uttered an exclamation. “The Lefton brothers--and look who’s with them!” It was Peter Peterson, the man with whom their father had, only yesterday, closed a contract. “Let ’em see us,” Roy suggested quietly. “There’s something queer about this.” Snatches of the talk drifted toward the waiting boys. “--plenty of cars”--“easy to get”--“only an eight mile run--” “What the mischief--” Teddy began, when he was interrupted by the roar of a train pulling in at the station. As the three men heard it they turned hurriedly and ran for the platform. Another moment, and they had entered one of the cars, leaving Teddy and Roy staring after them. With a shrill whistle the train puffed away from the station. CHAPTER IX THE WILD HORSE “That,” said Roy deliberately, “is pret-ty blamed funny.” “All of what you just said. Hear what they were talking about?” “Couldn’t help it. Seems to be a habit with those Lefton boys--that eight mile stuff and about the cars. We’ve got a nice little jig-saw puzzle to fit together, Teddy, my lad. How come Peterson knows the Leftons? Can you tell me that?” “Ask me something easy,” Teddy returned musingly. “What I’m interested in is the meaning of this line of talk. We couldn’t very well yell at ’em and tell ’em we were here, and not to talk so loud. Oh, I forgot, you’re a detective. That’s right. We’re privileged to listen.” “That was a nasty crack, Teddy,” Roy said, and grinned. “I suppose you’re referring to my losing my knife that night and going back for it. Well, it’s lucky I did. Forewarned is forearmed, you know.” “You really think there’s something to this, do you?” “I’m sure of it! Hold up there, Star--stop that prancing! Now listen, Teddy. First thing that happens is that the Leftons come to the X Bar X and make motions like cattle dealers. But are they? Not so you could notice it! Then they ask Nick and some of the others all sorts of questions about where our ranges are located and how many head we have in certain places. If they don’t want to do business with us, what’s the big idea of that? Then I hear ’em talking about cars being easy to get, and six hundred head, and the Jarmey place. That wouldn’t be so bad, but, by jinks, here comes Peterson, who _is_ going to buy our dogies--or so he says--and they mention the same things again! And don’t forget we saw the Leftons with Mob Jamisson! By golly, Teddy, that chase by the wolves was one of the luckiest days in our lives, even if we did come near passing out of the picture! We know where we are, now!” “Oh, do we?” Teddy chuckled. “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, suppose you tell me just where we are, brother mine!” Roy looked down at his pony, and coughed. “Don’t take me so literally. I mean we know what to watch out for. This Peterson’s with the Lefton boys. The Lefton boys are in with Mob Jamisson. _Ergo, et cetera_, or what have you?”