“I’ve got an idea,” exploded Stacy.

“There you go.  It’s coming now.”

“I’ll go tell the policeman.”

“Why, you ninny, there are no policemen here.  Perhaps there is a sheriff.  Hello, here comes the gentleman who gave me the advice that helped me to win those handsome spurs.  He’s introducing himself to the Professor and Mr. Kringle.  Let’s go over.”

Forgetting for the moment the subject they were discussing, Tad and Stacy strolled over to the camp-fire.

“O Tad, this is Mr. Marquand, Mr. James Marquand from Albuquerque.  He wants to know you.  And this is another one of our Pony Rider Boys, Master Stacy Brown,” said the Professor, presenting his boys.

“Marquand!” exclaimed both boys under their breaths.

“I am glad to know you, Master Butler.  That was a very fine piece of work you did this afternoon.  You’ve steady nerves.”

“If there’s any credit due it is to you.  Your suggestion helped me to win the prize.  Without it I should have failed,” answered Tad generously.

“Which way are you headed?” asked Mr. Marquand.

“Guadalupes,” answered the guide.  “The boys want to explore some of the old pueblos.”

“And I also,” spoke up Professor Zepplin.  “I understand there is much of interest in them.”

“I should say so,” muttered their guest.

“I’d like a few moments to speak with you in private, if you can spare the time,” said Tad in a low voice, at the first opportunity.

“At your service now, sir.”

“No; not here.”

“Then come to my room at the hotel.  I’ll fix it with the others,” said Mr. Marquand, observing at once that the lad had some serious purpose in mind.

“My friend Chunky will go with me, if agreeable to you?”

“That’s all right.  Professor, if you have no objection I should like to have these two young men go to my quarters with me for a little while.  I—­”

“Certainly.  Don’t stay out too late, boys.”

“No, sir.”

“Wonder what they’ve got up their sleeves?” muttered Ned, watching the receding figures of his two companions and Mr. Marquand.

“You may talk,” smiled the latter after they were well started.

“I’d rather not until we are where we shall not be overheard,” answered Tad promptly.

All three fell silent.  The boys followed their host to his room, apparently without having been observed.  The little village was too full of its own pleasures to notice.

“Be seated, boys.  I take for granted that neither of you smoke?”

“Oh no, sir.”

“Now, what can I do for you?  I am sure you have something of importance to yourselves on your minds.”

“Not to us specially.  Perhaps to you, though,” replied Tad.

“Indeed?”

“We may be foolish.  If so, you will understand that we have no motive beyond a desire to serve you.”