CHAPTER VII. 

BUYING THE OUTFITS. 

"You saw Tom Roland and Jasper Guardley?" burst from the lips of the Portney brothers simultaneously. 

"Yes," replied Fred Dobson. "I couldn't believe my eyes at first, but when I felt sure I was right I ran up to speak to Roland." 

"And what did he say?" queried Earl. 

"He didn't give me a chance to speak to him. He and Guardley disappeared in the crowd like a flash. I rather think they saw me and avoided me." 

Earl and Randy exchanged glances. Tom Roland and Jasper Guardley had followed them to San Francisco. What could it mean? 

"I shouldn't wonder if they are bound for Alaska, too!" burst out Randy. "Oh, Earl, supposing they got that letter--" 

"It's more than likely they did," said the elder youth, quickly. "I'll wager both of them are going to try their fortunes in the new gold fields. Well, they had a cheap trip West," he concluded bitterly. 

"If we could prove they got the money, we could have them locked up." 

"But we can't prove it, Randy; we haven't time, so we'll just have to let matters stand where they are. For my part I never want to see either of them again," said Earl, decidedly. 

Fred Dobson had listened to the latter part of the conversation with interest, and now he wished to know what it all meant. 

"They must be guilty," he said, after Randy had recited the facts. "Guardley is a bad egg. You know he was up before my father several times. But say, Randy," he went on, as Earl turned away with Foster Portney to secure extra accommodations at the hotel for the two following nights, "can't you fix it up with your uncle so that I can go to Alaska with him? I'll work like a slave for the chance to go." 
Was Fred interested in the conversation?
Fred Dobson had listened to the latter part of the conversation with interest, and now he wished to know what it all meant. 