“You are wrong in one way, Mr. Grubb.  These goggles do tell us who dropped them, if our surmises are correct.”

“You don’t say?”

“Yes.  Do you recall the little experience we had on the station platform at Compton on the evening of our arrival?”

“You mean about the fellow who tried to make you believe he was I?”

“Yes.  But perhaps you have forgotten our telling you that the man wore goggles?”

“Well, I swum!” Janus stroked his whiskers nervously.

“Yeth.  Tho did Harriet.  And thhe got wet,” observed Tommy flippantly.

“Later on that same evening,” continued Miss Elting, “we saw the man again on the porch at the post-office.  You remember how you and Harriet hurried down the steps after him.  As he stood with his back to the window she had discovered that the goggles were green.  These may or may not be the identical goggles, but I believe they are.”

“I haven’t the least doubt of it,” interjected Harriet.  “These have a white cord on them, as you can see.  So did those worn by the man that night.”

“I saw the fellow you mean,” interposed Jim.  “I wondered who he was.  I was at the station to see if your party had come in.  This fellow was keeping out of sight a good deal, but I plainly saw the specs on him.  Then I didn’t see him any more.  He must have hit the trail up the mountain.”

“Well, I swum!” repeated Janus.

“I think you ought to compel the authorities to do something when you get back to Compton,” said the guardian.  “I believe this man of the goggles is determined to wreak vengeance on us, and for some reason that we know nothing about.”

“I have it!” cried Harriet excitedly.  “Now I know who that man who called on you reminded me of.  Collins was the man of the green goggles.  Oh, why didn’t I think of it before?”

“But Mr. Collins wore a beard; the other man did not,” objected Miss Elting.

“I can’t help it.  They were one and the same.  Does that help you any, Mr. Grubb?”

The guide shook his head.

“Tell them all about it when you get back, Jim.  The sheriff’ll run the fellow down.  I shouldn’t be surprised if the sheriff came out here.  You tell him where we are going.  You better get started now.  No need to wait till morning.  You young ladies turn in.  I shall keep watch during the rest of the night.  I take no more chances.  It is time for something to be done, rather than to wait till it’s too late.”

“I agree with you,” answered the guardian, emphasizing her conclusion with an emphatic nod.  “Now, girls, go to bed, as Mr. Grubb suggests.  I shall be with you in a few moments We must get as early a start as possible.”

“Yes, the trouble begins in the morning,” agreed Janus.  “But I reckon the young ladies are good for it.  They are pretty well seasoned, but they will find themselves thoroughly fagged before to-morrow night.”