"Can the Mexican have waylaid her?" he asked.
"Perhaps," said the man of the plains. "But I've hunted the city high and low."
A short while after the two found themselves in the town once more. Nellie had put up at the Commercial Hotel, and to this hostelry they made their way and entered the office.
"No news of the young lady," said the clerk in charge, who had been interviewed before. "I am quite certain she started for the boomers camp on horse back."
Rasco heaved a sigh.
"Might as well go back," he said to Dick, then as he saw the boy start he continued: "What's up? Do yer see anything of her?"
"No, Rasco. But look at that man, the fellow sitting down by the corner table in the reading room, he with the brown hat."
"I see him. What of him?"
"He's from New York—a fellow who used to come sneaking around father's office, trying to gather information about mining shares."
"Gee shoo, Dick! Yer don't mean it!" Jack Rasco was all attention instantly. "Maybe he's the rascal as knocked yer dad over?"
"Perhaps. If I— There is a man joining him."
