"Can you prove that this man is the fellow you take him to be?" went on Philip Rice, to Owen. "Remember, his word here is as good as yours." Owen thought rapidly. If he said yes, he would not be able to touch Ducrot until he had brought Dale to the scene to identify the man. Dale could not be brought at once, and in the meantime, if Ducrot was not held, he might take time by the fore-lock and run away. On the other hand, if the French-Canadian was allowed to have his own way he might remain in the lumber yard until Owen was in a position to notify the Maine authorities. "I could prove it if we were in Maine," answered the young lumberman. "But we are not in Maine," said the mill owner. "Then I guess I'll have to let it pass, Mr. Rice. Besides, I may be mistaken after all," went on Owen. At these last words Baptiste Ducrot looked much relieved. "Sure, you mak meestake," he said. "Dat udder feller he mus' look lak me, dat's all." "Well, let it go," said Owen lightly, and motioned for Mr. Rice to move away with him. They walked off, and after a few minutes Baptiste Ducrot resumed his labor. "He is my man," whispered Owen. "There isn't the least bit of a mistake. I can prove it, but not right away. I wish you'd keep him here until I can let the authorities know." "I don't want a thief in my employ," returned Philip Rice. "Can't you keep him until I send word to the Maine authorities and to Mr. Wilbur?" "Yes--if he'll stay." "All right; and if he goes away, kindly try to find out where he goes to," concluded Owen. The young lumberman was soon on the return to Tunley. He saw Baptiste Ducrot watch his departure eagerly, but did not let on that he noticed this. "He's a slippery customer," thought Owen. "I'll have to work quickly if he is to be captured." When he arrived at the camp he had several things to do before the day came to an end and he could tell Dale of his discovery, and of what Philip Rice had said about Ulmer Balasco and Foxy Hildan. Dale listened eagerly. "Oh, Owen, we ought to send a letter to Mr. Wilbur at once, and another to the authorities in Maine!" cried the young lumberman. "It might be criminal to delay." "We'll write the letters now," answered Owen. "And I'll post them myself to-morrow, before the mail train reaches Tunley." The young lumbermen had pens, ink, and a large writing pad with them, and sitting close to where Dale rested, Owen wrote two communications. The one was short and to the point, notifying the sheriff of the county at home that Baptiste Ducrot was working at Philip Rice's yard and could be identified by himself and Dale. The second was to Jefferson Wilbur, and told of everything that had happened at the camp bearing on the railroad contract, and of what they had heard concerning Ulmer Balasco and Foxy Hildan. In this communication Owen laid particular stress on what Mr. Rice had said about Mr. Wilbur coming out to Oregon to look after his interests.