meant but one thing. They must recover their property. Such a thing as failure was not to be countenanced.
At length Phillipsburg was left far behind, and they entered a somewhat hilly farming section. Presently they came to a farmhouse standing close to the road. There was an old countryman standing by the gate, smoking a pipe leisurely, and Matt directed the freight agent to draw rein.
"Good afternoon," said the young auctioneer politely. "I wish to ask you for a bit of information."
"Well, son, what is it?" returned the old countryman, removing his pipe from his mouth and gazing at all three curiously.
"Did an auction wagon pass this way a short while ago?"
"An auction wagon?"
"Yes, sir, a covered wagon, with the sign, 'Eureka Auction Co.,' painted on the sides. It had a single white horse, with brown spots."
The old man's face lit up.
"Oh, yes; I saw that wagon," he replied.
"You did?" cried Andy. "We are very glad to hear it. Which way did it go?"
"Right up that way," and the countryman waved his hand to the northwest.
