"That's strange. A miner prospecting there came back with a similar
story a few months ago. Nobody believed him, though many strange
things are said to have happened in the vicinity of that rock."
"What?"
"That's the trouble. One cannot get them to tell what they saw. You
have come the nearest to doing so."
"Only I just missed it by about a mile," laughed Tad. "But you do not
think it's--how shall I say it?"
Phipps bent a keen glance on the young man. "You mean through any
supernatural agency?"
Tad nodded.
"That's what I wanted to say, but didn't know just how to put it."
"No, I am too practical to believe any such trash as that. My idea is
that some one of a humorous turn of mind is trying to play tricks on
people. You say it was a girl's voice?"
"Yes."
"That's strange. I'm going to look into that."
"Let's you and I go over there together to to-morrow, then," urged Tad
enthusiastically.
"I'll do it--that is, if there is nothing on hand to detain me. I'll
let you know later whether it will be possible or not."
"Very well. I have been thinking--wondering whether--"
Tad hesitated.
"Wondering what?"
"Whether that rock has anything to do with so many horses and things
being stolen in the range."
Tom Phipps laughed heartily.
"I never thought of it in that light. Don't see how a rock could
possibly have any connection with it.
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