“Oh, it was you, Miss Pry! That explains everything.” “Yes; and it’s a good thing that you have a sister to keep an eye on you.” After the meal was concluded the boys walked to the corral and viewed the bronco that had thrown Teddy. He looked docile enough as he stood eyeing them, and Teddy determined to ride him without delay. Roy was for waiting until afternoon, but Teddy vetoed this, and together the two boys managed to saddle the horse. He remained perfectly quiet, even when Teddy put a hand on the saddle horn. “Never mind the blind,” he said. “Something tells me this bronc is cured. You watch.” Before Roy could utter a word Teddy had vaulted into the saddle. But nothing happened. The animal moved calmly about the corral as correctly as any school horse, and after a few minutes Teddy dismounted. “Anyone could ride him now,” he declared. “Glad I decided to climb aboard before he forgot me. Hope the broncs in the rodeo will be as easy to stay with.” “Let’s forget that rodeo for a while,” Roy suggested. “There are a few things more important just at present--Peterson and his offer for our cattle, for instance. See Gus yet?” “How could I? I’ve been with you all the time. Let’s wander over and see if he’s around.” The boys found Gus Tripp near the hitching-rail preparing to ride through the country near Mica Mountain and investigate the condition of the ground. He had his bronco saddled, and was mounting as the boys came up. “Got time to wait a second, Gus?” Teddy called. “Sure! Reckon you want to know what I found out about Peterson. Well, the answer’s easy--nothin’. Yore dad asked me, too; an’ when I told him no one in town had ever heard of him, he looked sort of worried. Tell you how it is--a man likes to know somethin’ about a man he’s dealin’ with, especially when it’s a large order like this. Course Peterson did put up a deposit; but there’s plenty of things can happen between now an’ the time he puts the purchase price in yore dad’s hands and takes delivery. I don’t blame the boss for askin’ questions.” “So no one knew him!” Roy mused for a moment. “I suppose, actually, that that fact alone doesn’t mean much. But, you see, Gus, this Peterson is acquainted with the Lefton boys.” Roy glanced at his brother, for they had decided not to tell anyone of their discovery. But in the face of Gus’s statement, it seemed best that the whole thing be laid on the table. Teddy nodded his approbation. “And you know how those Lefton brothers’ deal fell through, after practically demanding we tell ’em all about our business. Of course that’s exaggerated, but you get what I mean.” “Yep, I get ya’. Well, I guess we can’t do nothin’ about it. I better be gettin’ along now. See you later.” Gus waved and rode off. Teddy and Roy stood there for a moment, watching him go. Then they walked slowly toward the house.