The professor was for
remaining in camp, hoping that the Rangers might return later in the
day. Tad did not believe this would be the case. He reasoned that
the men had been summoned some time during the night to go on a hike,
and that they might not return at all; therefore the Pony Rider Boys
would be losing time, whereas they might be exploring the Guadalupe
range, which stretched away for a hundred miles.
"Still, I can't understand this mysterious departure of our friends,
the Rangers," persisted Professor Zepplin.
"Perhaps it was the bugs," suggested Stacy wisely.
"The bugs?" questioned the professor.
Chunky nodded. Tad eyed the fat boy suspiciously.
"Look here, what have you got up your sleeve, Stacy?" he demanded.
"Nothing, I hope. But some of the fellows did."
"Did what?" cut in Rector.
"Did have."
"Did have what?" urged Walter. "A fellow has to have a map to follow
you."
"Did have something up their sleeves."
"What was it you think they had up their sleeves?" asked Tad, eyeing
the fat boy with growing suspicion.
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe it was insects."
"Stacy!" rebuked the professor sternly. Tad recalled that he had
discovered thousands of insects crawling over the burlap sack when
he came out in the morning. The lad's mind began to unravel the
mystery. He thought he understood Chunky's references now, but Tad
only smiled.
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