We have your guide down at the foot of the
White Trail. He's been hurt. We've got another fellow in whom you'll
be interested too. Janus Grubb sent us to find you."
"Is Mr. Grubb badly hurt?" queried Harriet, as all the girls came
slowly out from their hiding places.
"Sprained an ankle, not much, but it will lay him up for a few days.
The other man we have is Charlie Valdes, known as Big Charlie. The
story of Valdes dates back to the time when Jan was a deputy sheriff.
He ran down Charlie and another bad character, Henry Tracy. Both
fellows were poachers, preying on the preserves of rich men in these
mountains. Jan got his hands on the pair and gathered the evidence
that put them in prison. Charlie's time was up first, and he came back
on purpose to even the score with Jan. The instant I had a description
of the fellow who bothered you in Compton I felt sure it was Big
Charlie. He's the man who has been following you, and we'll prove the
burning of the bridge against him, too."
"Did Mr. Grubb catch the man again this time, too?" asked Hazel.
"Jan overhauled Valdes, and in the fight that followed put a bullet in
his leg," replied the sheriff.
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