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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..98f7b10 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #54632 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54632) diff --git a/old/54632-0.txt b/old/54632-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 3850fd6..0000000 --- a/old/54632-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6391 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Boy Scout Explorers at Headless Hollow, by -Don Palmer and Mildred A. Wirt Benson - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Boy Scout Explorers at Headless Hollow - -Author: Don Palmer - Mildred A. Wirt Benson - -Release Date: April 29, 2017 [EBook #54632] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BOY SCOUT EXPLORERS--HEADLESS HOLLOW *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -[Illustration: Far above them, on the high cliffs, they saw two -struggling men. - (_See page 200_)] - - - - - BOY SCOUT EXPLORERS - AT HEADLESS HOLLOW - - - _By_ - DON PALMER - - - _ILLUSTRATED_ - - - CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY - _Publishers_ _New York_ - - Copyright, 1957, by - CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY - All Rights Reserved - _Printed in the United States of America_ - - - - - CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - 1 Old Stony 9 - 2 Trouble in Camp 21 - 3 The Treasure Map 30 - 4 A Bag of Beans 37 - 5 The Search 46 - 6 The Threat 54 - 7 Under the Tent Flap 62 - 8 Walz’ Proposition 72 - 9 Short Cut 81 - 10 Trickery 90 - 11 Cloud Crest Ranch 98 - 12 An Unexpected Visitor 105 - 13 Thief in the Night 113 - 14 Ghost Town 122 - 15 Warm Ashes 131 - 16 Missing Supplies 139 - 17 Avalanche 146 - 18 Dead End 152 - 19 The Cabin 161 - 20 The Plane 169 - 21 The Enemy 177 - 22 Trapped 185 - 23 Escape 192 - 24 A Fight 200 - 25 Rendezvous 211 - - - - - Chapter 1 - OLD STONY - - -The road wound through spike pines which stood silhouetted in the fading -daylight. - -Long, empty miles lay behind the weary travelers since they had left -Philmont Boy Scout Ranch in the New Mexico Rockies. More miles stretched -endlessly ahead. - -“Hey, when do we stop for grub? This air sure gives a guy a whale of an -appetite!” - -“War” Washburn, a skinny, freckled youngster, rode with feet dangling -out the car window. His question was shot at their driver, Hap -Livingston, leader of Boy Scout Explorer Post 21 of Belton City. - -Mr. Livingston and the four explorers were returning to their home state -after twelve days of rugged fun at the Boy Scout ranch. They had hoped -to reach the Colorado border by nightfall, but now that seemed -impossible. - -“Yeah,” piped up tow-headed Willie Medaugh. “What say we start looking -for a camp site? It’s going to get dark early tonight.” - -The fifteen-year-old sat wedged in the back seat of the sedan between -Jack Hartwell and Ken Dougherty, the two more serious members of the -husky Scout crew. - -“Okay, boys,” Mr. Livingston agreed. “We’ve had a hard drive, and I’m -ready to hit the sack—since you insist.” - -Already Jack was consulting the road map. “Nearest town is Rocking -Horse, eight miles ahead,” he reported. - -“We’ll stop there,” the Scout leader decided. “If we can find a camp -site with all the comforts of home, I’m for taking it.” - -“Why, Hap!” Ken drawled. “Can’t stand the gaff any more?” - -The question was asked in jest. As the four explorers knew well, their -leader, a former FBI man, could stand up under grueling physical -punishment. This he had proven during recent adventure trips to Peru and -Emerald Valley in Colombia. - -“I feel sort of lazy tonight,” Hap confessed. “Riding herd over War at -Philmont must have worn me out.” - -“Dragging him away from the ranch was the hardest,” Jack recalled, his -blue eyes twinkling. - -“Well, there was so much to do,” War defended himself. “I wanted to make -another pack trip on the trail Kit Carson once rode. And I wanted to -visit the old mine.” - -From his shirt pocket he pulled out a handkerchief in which were wrapped -several bits of sparkling rock. - -“Still hoarding that junk?” Ken asked with a grin. - -“Junk! Just see it shine in the sunlight!” - -Ken pretended to cover his eyes. “The glow blinds me!” he chuckled. - -“Well, it’s genuine gold,” War said indignantly. “I panned it at -Philmont.” - -“Sure, we know,” drawled Willie. “You’ve told us at least twenty times.” - -“That rare specimen of yours should assay about 1/800ths of a cent to -the ton!” Jack teased. - -“Anyway, it was fun panning it.” - -“Everything at Philmont was fun,” Jack declared. - -“Seeing deer, elk, and bear in natural surroundings. Learning how to -climb and handle an axe. Instruction in fire building and cooking. But -now it’s behind us.” - -“And Rocking Horse is ahead,” reminded Mr. Livingston. “Save the -arguments, lads. You’ll need your energy for making camp.” - -The Scouts took the hint and fell silent. True, everyone would have -enjoyed another two weeks in the West, but money was dwindling. So, -laden with souvenirs and happy memories, they were now on the way home. - -Presently the dusty car pulled into Rocking Horse. The city, with a -cluster of adobe houses at the outskirts, appeared to have not more than -about eight thousand residents. After inquiry at a filling station, Mr. -Livingston drove to a motel and camp site at the city’s northern edge. - -Few cars were parked near the tiny office on the roadside. The reason -for the comparative desertion was immediately apparent to the Scouts, -for the motel buildings were run-down and in need of paint. The pine -grove and camp site at the rear did not look too attractive, either. - -“How about it, boys?” Mr. Livingston asked doubtfully. - -“Oh, it may not be so bad,” Jack replied. “We’re all tired, so let’s -hole in.” - -The others agreed. Accordingly, Mr. Livingston drove up close to the -office. He and Jack went inside to register for the group. - -An old man who wore a soiled Stetson hat sat tipped back comfortably in -a chair. His big heavy boots came down from the desk, and he squinted at -them with watery blue eyes which were bright and sharp. - -“Howdy!” - -Mr. Livingston returned the hearty greeting and inquired about a camp -site. - -“Sure, we’ve got plenty o’ room for you,” the old man replied. He dug -into the old-fashioned roll-top desk for a registry book. “How many in -your party?” - -“Five. We won’t need a cabin—only space for our two tents.” - -“That’ll cost you two bucks for the night.” The old man thrust a pen at -the Scout leader. All the while, he was studying Jack’s green uniform -with the “BSA” strip over the right shirt pocket. - -“Here in Rocking Horse we don’t ask a man where’s he going, or where -he’s been,” he drawled. “But danged if I’m not curious about that BSA on -your pocket. Reckon it means Better Stay Away.” - -“It stands for Boy Scouts of America,” Jack explained. “Are you the -motel owner?” - -“Not me.” The old man stretched out a calloused hand to take the two -dollar bills Mr. Livingston offered. “These diggin’s are owned by a -hard-fisted hombre by the name o’ Jarrett Walz.” - -“You don’t like him?” Mr. Livingston asked, mildly amused at the -old-timer. - -“Didn’t say so, did I? Walz gives me my grub and a cabin for lookin’ -after this place. When you’re pushing eighty and have a bad ticker, -you’re not too particular.” - -Jack and Mr. Livingston regarded the old man with new interest and -respect. Despite shaggy white hair and a weather-beaten face, he did not -look more than seventy, for his muscles were firm and his stooping -shoulders were powerful. - -“My name’s Stony,” the old man volunteered. “I’ll show you where to -park.” - -Shuffling out of the office, he directed them to the rear of the deep -lot. - -Old Stony loitered to watch as the Scouts efficiently set about -unloading equipment and setting up their tents. - -“Nested cooking pans and sleeping bags!” he cackled. “In my day, we used -a lard pail and our own backs for a mattress. Anything you’ll be -wanting?” - -“Nothing, thank you,” Jack assured him. - -Old Stony started to leave. Then he halted, hesitated, and said: “See -that little cabin yonder? That’s where I flop. It gets kind o’ lonesome -sittin’ there alone at night, so if you boys have nothing to do later -on, drop by and we can chin.” - -“Fine!” Jack agreed. - -“I’ll bet you could spin some real tales of the Old West,” War -interposed eagerly. “Were you a cow-puncher?” - -“You wouldn’t catch me herding beef,” Old Stony said in disgust. “I was -a prospector. If it hadn’t been for a bad run o’ luck, I’d own this -joint instead o’ taking orders from Walz.” - -“You nearly struck it rich?” War prodded. - -“Dang it!” Old Stony snorted. “I hit gold—enough to put me on Easy -Street for the rest o’ my days. Only—” - -A melancholy, dreamy look crept over the old fellow’s leathery face, and -his gaze became fixed upon the faraway mountains. For a long moment he -seemed lost in the memory of a colorful past. Then, with a shake of his -head, he broke up his reverie. - -“Maybe I’ll tell you about it tonight,” he hinted. “Then again, maybe I -won’t. Anyway, drop around.” - -After Old Stony had gone, the Explorers got a fire started and made -supper. Over the bacon and eggs, they discussed him and his invitation -to drop around later at his cabin. Willie was sure it would be a waste -of time, but the other Explorers wanted to go, especially War. - -“That old boy will tell us about his prospecting days if we prime him -right,” he insisted, stirring the camp fire. - -“Sure, he’ll spin a wild tale of finding gold,” jeered Willie, “and -you’ll fall for it!” - -Meeting Old Stony had made the Scouts forget their weariness. They -thought it would be interesting to chat with the aged camp worker. -Accordingly, after the supper dishes were put away, War, Ken, and Jack -went over to his cabin. It was a mild August night, and the cabin door -stood open. - -At Jack’s knock, the prospector’s deep voice boomed: “Come in!” - -The interior of the one-room cabin was cheerless except for a small fire -in the grate. It was furnished with a makeshift bed, a cracked mirror, a -chest of drawers, and an old rocker. - -“Sit down,” Old Stony invited, waving them to a seat on the sagging bed. - -The boys could not fail to respond to the old fellow’s warmth and -hospitality. Sensing his loneliness, they told him of their stay at the -Scout ranch and then launched into an account of their previous exciting -trips to Peru and Colombia. - -“You’re not like the regular run o’ tourists that come through here,” -Old Stony said, lighting his pipe. “Right off, when I saw you make camp -I knew you weren’t softies.” - -“How long have you lived in Rocking Horse?” War asked. - -“Too long. But I reckon I’m stuck here until I hit the Long Trail. When -I head for that last roundup—and it’s not so far off now—I reckon my -secret will die with me.” - -“Your secret?” Ken repeated, sensing that the old man was ready to -launch into his tale. - -“Yup. There are men who would give their lives to know what I got locked -here.” Old Stony tapped his hairy chest. “Jarrett Walz in particular.” - -War leaned forward on the bed. “A secret about gold?” - -Old Stony hitched his rocker nearer the fire. Without looking at the -Explorers, he began: - -“Back in the early 1900’s my podner and I made our lucky strike.” - -“Here in New Mexico?” asked Jack. - -“No, in Colorado. My podner and I were lured West by the Shining -Mountains—the Rockies, folks call ’em.” - -“But weren’t the big Colorado gold strikes earlier than 1900?” Ken -interposed thoughtfully. “I’ve read about Leadville and Cripple Creek in -1891—” - -The interruption annoyed Old Stony. “This place I’m telling you about -you’ve never read of,” he said, “and you never will because it’s a place -hard to reach even today. My podner and I gave it the name of Headless -Hollow. - -“There’s a way in if you know the trail and can stand hardships. There’s -no way out except the way in. It’s in an out-of-the way valley, rimmed -by canyons, hard by a little lake no bigger’n a tin cup. To get there -you back-pack over miles o’ rock so steep it makes me dizzy to think of -’em.” - -“But you found gold?” prompted War. - -“Ay, we found it, and a heap o’ trouble. Here, let me show you -something.” - -Abruptly Old Stony dug a polished nugget from his pants pocket. Even in -the poor lamplight, the color of gold was there. - -“Wow!” War exclaimed, breathing heavily. “That makes my sample look like -peanuts.” - -“This nugget came from Headless Hollow?” Jack asked, relishing the old -man’s tale. - -Stony sucked at his pipe as he carefully replaced the metal in his -wrinkled overalls. - -Without answering, he resumed: “I was a young fellow in those days, -strong as an ox. If it wasn’t for my bad heart and some other things, -I’d go back there now and make my fortune.” - -“Where is this valley of gold?” - -“I can’t tell you, son. But there are men who would pay me well to know -my secret.” - -“If you found gold,” Jack asked, “why did you leave the valley?” - -“Don’t ask me that question, son. My past is my own and, God willing, it -will die with me.” - -The old man turned suddenly in his rocking chair. - -Unnoticed by the Explorers, a tall man in his thirties, with a -rock-like, expressionless face, had come to the open doorway. Ignoring -the Scouts, he spoke directly to Stony. - -“Crawl out, you lazy old buzzard! The man in No. 4 wants fresh towels.” - -Stony got heavily from his chair. He made no answer, but the sparkle of -life had vanished from his ruddy face. - -Ill at ease, the Explorers started to leave. As if by design, the motel -owner walked with them a short distance toward their camp. - -“Old Stony spinning wild yarns again?” he demanded. - -“He was telling us about striking gold when he was a young man,” War -volunteered. - -“I suppose he let you into the secret of where his precious map is -hidden?” - -“Why, no,” Jack spoke up. “Does he have a map?” - -Jarrett Walz gave a snort. “That old goat is all talk. Everything he -has, even the clothes on his back, comes from me. In exchange he gives -me laziness and lies!” - -“Lies?” - -“The old fool says I am after his gold. I figure he was giving you a -line of chatter when I came up.” - -“You weren’t under discussion,” Jack said dryly. - -“What did he tell you about his wonderful valley?” - -“Not much.” - -“Leaving tomorrow?” - -“We expect to.” - -“That’s okay, then.” The motel owner seemed suddenly relieved. “If Old -Stony bothers you again, call me. Good night now, and good rest.” - - - - - Chapter 2 - TROUBLE IN CAMP - - -Cold night air seeped through the tent walls. Jack Hartwell stirred -restlessly in his sleeping bag and sat up. What had awakened him? Beside -him, Ken and Willie were dead to the world. All was quiet. - -Annoyed at himself, Jack got up and opened the tent flap. A few stars -were winking, but otherwise it was a dark night. It might be two A.M. or -thereabouts, he judged. There was no sign of anyone around the camp, yet -distinctly he sensed that something was wrong. - -It was not the first time Jack’s instincts had acted as an alarm clock. -The high school senior and Explorer crew leader was gifted with high -intelligence and a certain intuition which had repeatedly saved him or -his friends from near disaster. - -Jack had proven himself the most valuable of the Explorers during the -exciting adventure trips to South America which have been described in -_The Boy Scout Explorers at Treasure Mountain_, and _The Boy Scout -Explorers at Emerald Valley_. On this particular occasion, only the four -tried-and-true Explorers had made the trip to Philmont Scout Ranch at -Cimarron, New Mexico. In Belton City, however, they were associated with -a large and active troop. - -As Jack stood shivering in the chill night air, his ears picked up a -disturbing sound. The noise, a series of thuds, and a groan, seemed to -come from the direction of Old Stony’s cabin. - -Jack did not hesitate. Diving back into the tent, he reached for -trousers and shoes. By this time, Ken was awake and drowsily asked what -was wrong. - -“Something’s doing at Stony’s cabin,” Jack told him tersely. “I’m going -to find out about it.” - -Ken came fully awake in a flash. Asking no further questions, he too -began to dress hurriedly. Willie slumbered peacefully on. - -Once dressed, Jack and Ken started at a fast trot toward the cabin. - -“What made you think anything’s wrong?” Ken demanded. - -Before Jack could tell him, they both saw a light flash on and off in -the cabin. Then the door opened, and a man ran out. In the darkness, the -two Explorers gained only a general impression of someone tall and -shadowy. His face was turned away from them, and he moved fast. They saw -him dart past the unlighted motel office and into an alley. - -“That wasn’t Old Stony!” Ken gasped. - -“No!” - -The Scouts crossed the driveway and shoved open the cabin door. Jack -found the light switch. As the room became illuminated, he and Ken both -stiffened in horror. - -Old Stony, his bed unmade, was sprawling on the floor, bleeding from a -forehead wound. The aged man was moaning piteously. For just an instant -Ken and Jack thought he had suffered a stroke and fallen. But the -evidence convinced them otherwise. Even if they had not seen the fleeing -intruder, the condition of the cabin would have told its graphic story. -Drawers had been overturned. Old Stony’s few pathetic possessions were -scattered on the bare floor. - -“Robbery,” was Jack’s only comment. - -Without attempting to lift the old man from the floor, they quickly -examined his wound. It did not seem deep. However, the old man was -certainly in a state of shock. - -“Get Hap and our first-aid kit,” Jack directed Ken. “Better call a -doctor, too. Stony’s an old fellow, and he has a heart condition.” - -Ken hurried away. Left alone, Jack covered Stony with a blanket and -pillowed his head. He was turning away to look for something he could -use for a temporary bandage, when the old man’s lips began to move. - -Jack bent closer. “Who was it that hit you?” he asked. - -“Don’t know,” the old fellow mumbled. “Woke up—the skunk was pawing -through my things. I yelled at him, and then he hit me on the skull. -Last I knew for a while.” - -“You didn’t see his face?” - -“No,” Old Stony admitted in disgust. - -“Whoever it was must have meant to rob you.” - -“The thieving rascal was after my gold and the map.” - -Over Jack’s protests, Old Stony raised himself up on an elbow. His gaze -raked the entire cabin from the fireplace to the bed. What he saw seemed -to satisfy him, for he gave a feeble, throaty chuckle. - -“The skunk didn’t get what he was after! Old Stony is nobody’s fool. -Young fellow, if you’ll help me, I’ll get back into bed.” - -“You shouldn’t move,” Jack warned him. “The doctor will be here in a few -minutes.” - -“Doctor, fiddlesticks! It takes more’n a little tap on the head to knock -out Old Stony.” - -Because the aged man was not to be denied, Jack helped him into bed, but -he was alarmed at the prospector’s pallor and weakness. - -“I’m all right,” Stony mumbled. “Thank you, son.” - -It was increasingly clear to Jack that the old man was not all right, so -he was greatly relieved when Ken came back with Mr. Livingston, Willie, -and War. - -One glance at the man on the bed, and the Scout leader drew Ken aside. - -“He seems to be in bad shape,” he said. “Go for a doctor, and tell him -to hurry.” - -While Ken was carrying out the order, the other Scouts dressed Stony’s -wound. He made no further attempt to talk, but now and then managed to -grin at them in a feeble way. - -Jack and Willie made a fast tour of the motel grounds. However, it did -not surprise them that they found no trace of the man who had so -brutally attacked the cabin dweller. - -“Whoever he is, he’ll be a mile from here by now,” Jack remarked as they -walked back. “No question about it, theft was the motive.” - -“The old man’s gold and map?” - -“Right.” - -“You think there is any gold?” Willie asked skeptically. - -“Last night I didn’t,” Jack replied thoughtfully. “Now I’m not so sure. -Old Stony certainly acted as if he had something valuable hidden in the -cabin, and apparently it’s still there.” - -“The thief was probably frightened away before he finished his search.” - -“Either that, or he was scared, Willie. He may have hit Old Stony harder -than he intended.” - -Back in the cabin the boys found that Jarrett Walz had come from his -nearby home to check on the activity. Informed by Mr. Livingston as to -what had happened, he made no attempt to hide his annoyance. - -“Now I suppose Stony will insist on lying in bed for a week!” he -snapped. - -“That’s for the doctor to decide,” Mr. Livingston rejoined. - -“You’ve sent for a doctor?” the motel owner fairly screamed. - -“We have.” - -“And I’m to pay the bill?” - -“It would be a humanitarian thing to do. Stony needs a doctor. No -question about that.” - -For the first time, Mr. Walz seemed concerned about his worker’s -condition. He went over to the bed, peering intently at the colorless -face. After a moment, he turned away and made no further protest about -the doctor. - -It was twenty minutes later when Dr. James Alcott reached the cabin. He -checked Stony’s heart, examined the wound, and then told Mr. Walz to -call an ambulance. - -“An ambulance?” the motel owner repeated. “You don’t mean he’s bad off? -Just from that little tap on the head?” - -“It was a hard blow,” the doctor corrected him. “At the hospital we’ll -take X-rays to see if there is a skull fracture. I rather doubt it, but -in any case this man needs careful attention. How old is he?” - -“Eighty-two,” Walz said. “At least, that’s what he claims.” - -“He has a serious heart condition. At his age, a shock such as this -could be very hard on him.” - -“Doc, you don’t think he’ll die?” Walz gasped. - -“His good physique is in his favor. I’d suggest, though, that you lose -no time getting in touch with relatives.” - -“Relatives? He has none that I ever heard of.” - -The motel owner was plainly worried. Nervously, he paced back and forth -in the cabin, not offering to help when Jack and Ken gathered together -the few things which Stony would need at the hospital. - -It was 3:30 A.M. by War’s watch when an ambulance pulled into the -parking lot. Two attendants with a stretcher efficiently transferred -Stony from his bed to their vehicle. Jarrett Walz did not offer to ride -in the ambulance. Unwilling to see the old man taken without anyone to -sit by him, Jack and Ken climbed in. Mr. Livingston, War, and Willie -followed the ambulance in their own car. - -At the hospital, matters were taken from the Scouts’ hands. Old Stony -was passed through emergency and given a ward bed. Meanwhile, Mr. -Livingston signed papers at the hospital office and provided what little -information he could about the attack. - -“Walz should have come along,” the Scout leader remarked to Jack. “I -figure he stayed away for fear he’d be hooked on the bill. How is -Stony?” - -“No report yet,” Jack replied. “But when I looked in on him a minute -ago, he was resting comfortably.” - -“He didn’t tell you anything more about his attacker?” - -“Stony didn’t say a word. In fact, he hardly recognized me.” - -With a shake of his head, Mr. Livingston indicated that the information -was disturbing. After a moment, he said: “Well, round up Warwick, -Willie, and Ken. We’ve done everything we can for the poor old fellow. -May as well get back to camp and try to catch a few winks before dawn.” - -In sober silence the Scouts drove back to the motel. A light was on—in -the front office, but Mr. Walz was not there. - -“There’s a light in Stony’s cabin, too,” Jack noted as the car turned -into the driveway. “That’s funny! I distinctly recall turning it off -after everyone left.” - -“That’s right, you did!” Ken exclaimed. - -No one spoke for a moment as the same thought occurred to all: Stony’s -mysterious attacker might have returned! - -Mr. Livingston stopped the car and switched off the ignition. - -“Come on, boys,” he said grimly, heading for the cabin. “We’ll find out -about this!” - - - - - Chapter 3 - THE TREASURE MAP - - -At the doorway of Old Stony’s cabin, Mr. Livingston and the Scouts -halted. Inside, crouching on the floor, a man was riffling through a box -of papers, evidently pulled from beneath the bed. - -It was Jarrett Walz. - -Mr. Livingston coughed. At once the motel owner whirled around. Caught -by surprise, he lost his balance and collapsed awkwardly on the floor. - -“Oh, back already?” he asked. - -“We didn’t expect to find you here,” Mr. Livingston said pointedly. - -Mr. Walz got to his feet. He shoved the box of papers back under the bed -and said, “I was just looking through some of poor Old Stony’s junk.” - -“So we noticed,” the Scout leader answered dryly. “Find what you were -after?” - -Walz gave him a quick, suspicious look. He said evenly, “I was trying to -find the names of any relatives Old Stony may have.” - -“Any luck?” - -“None.” - -“Not a single clue?” Jack interposed dubiously. “Old Stony must have had -a few friends.” - -“No one—unless maybe you could say he kept up a writing acquaintance -with Craig Warner.” - -“Who’s he?” - -The motel owner shrugged. “Someone he wrote to in Colorado. A casual -acquaintance, I guess.” - -“Stony didn’t seem the type to bother with trivial friendships,” Jack -commented. “Did he come from Colorado?” - -“Stony must have told you that much himself,” Walz retorted, making no -attempt to hide his growing distaste for the conversation. - -“We don’t mean to be inquisitive,” interposed Mr. Livingston smoothly. -“However, it’s rather important to know something of Stony’s past. What -was his last name?” - -“Who knows? When he came here, he told me his name was John Stone. -That’s how he got his nickname, Old Stony. Later, he said his name was -Adams. And once he told me it was Pickering. So take your choice.” - -“He must have had something to hide.” - -“Old Stony ran away from a past. I suspected that when I hired him.” -Walz laughed without mirth. “He was afraid to set foot over the Colorado -line, so I figured he was wanted for something in that state.” - -“He kept it a secret?” - -“Old Stony never told me anything. Nothing, that is, except wild yarns. -The truth is, he disliked me and was ungrateful for all I did to help -him.” - -“Well, he’s in a bad spot at the moment,” Mr. Livingston said. “Any idea -who might have attacked him?” - -“Not the slightest.” - -“The motive?” - -“Oh, I figure some hoodlum put faith in Stony’s story of having gold or -a map to a gold mine. Trouble with him, he couldn’t keep his lips from -wagging. He invited the attack.” - -“You’ve reported it to the police?” - -Walz frowned. “Why, no. Figured it was none of their business.” - -“It’s customary, isn’t it, to report an assault and an attempted theft?” - -“Not in Rocking Horse it isn’t,” Walz said shortly. “A police -investigation here wouldn’t mean a thing. Far as I’m concerned, Stony -will have to do the reporting, if any is done.” - -“That may not be possible.” - -“Oh, he’ll snap out of it,” Walz said carelessly. “That old boy has a -constitution like iron.” - -“I hope you’re right. Just what can you tell us about Stony?” - -Walz edged toward the door. Plainly, he wanted to put an end to the -questions. But he replied: “I told you about all I know. He drifted into -this town like a tumbleweed some years ago. I gave him a job—his board -and room in return for looking after the cabins.” - -“He never told you much about himself?” Ken inquired. - -“Oh, he talked enough, but always he handed out lies. The old coot was -suspicious by nature. Why, he became obsessed with the idea I wanted to -rob him of his gold and the map!” - -“He did show us a nugget last night,” War said. “A big one.” - -“Oh, that!” - -“Wasn’t it real gold?” War asked in disappointment. - -“It’s gold, all right. But you can bet Old Stony never dug it from a -mine or washed it from a creek.” - -“By the way, I wonder what became of that nugget?” Jack asked. “Old -Stony had it wrapped in a handkerchief last night.” - -“I have the nugget.” Walz made the admission half defiantly. “Old Stony -sets great store by it. I figured I’d better take it before someone went -off with it. Tomorrow I’ll drop it around to him at the hospital.” - -The Scouts had their own opinion of the motel owner’s motive in taking -the nugget. However, they could not accuse him. - -Jack did say, “Find any other nuggets?” - -“Nothing.” Walz pushed past him, through the open door. “Excuse me, now. -I’ve had a hard night and I’m turning in.” He started away, only to -halt. “You’re leaving today?” - -“We expect to,” Mr. Livingston returned. - -“Well, have a good trip,” Walz said, with a show of friendliness. - -The Scouts waited outside the cabin until the motel owner was beyond -view. Then Willie remarked that Walz had neglected to lock the door. - -“That indicates he’s gone through poor Old Stony’s possessions from A to -Z,” Jack declared. “He’s satisfied there’s nothing of value here.” - -“Even so, it would do no harm to look around ourselves,” War proposed. -“Walz could have missed something.” - -Mr. Livingston vetoed the suggestion. “No, War. This is Stony’s cabin. -It ought to be locked.” - -“Let’s all get to bed,” Willie urged. “Look at the horizon. It’s nearly -dawn.” - -After a bit of debate, the Scouts decided to try to catch an hour of -sleep before breaking camp. Accordingly, forgetting the unlocked cabin -door, they retired to their tents. Everyone slept soundly. - -When Jack finally opened his eyes, a hot sun was beating down on the -canvas. He was alone in the tent. Peering out, he sniffed the aroma of -frying eggs. The others were up ahead of him. - -“Gosh, am I lazy!” he exclaimed. “What time is it?” - -“Ten to nine,” Willie told him as he turned the eggs. “You were sleeping -like a babe, so we didn’t call you.” - -Jack quickly dressed and helped Mr. Livingston strike and pack the two -tents. By that time Willie had breakfast ready to serve. - -“We’re making a late start,” the Scout leader said, looking ruefully at -his watch. “But we all needed sleep. Last night was rough.” - -“Wonder how Old Stony is getting along?” Jack speculated. “Any word?” - -“I went up to the office to inquire,” Ken replied. “The place was locked -up. No sign of Walz. He’s probably still in bed.” - -“I sort of hate to pull out of here without knowing Stony’s okay.” - -“Sure, we all do,” Ken agreed soberly. “After we’re packed and ready to -hit the road, what say we stop somewhere to telephone the hospital?” - -“Good idea,” Mr. Livingston approved. “I was going to suggest it -myself.” - -In short order the Scouts finished breakfast, disposed of the garbage, -and put out their fire. Soon the car was packed ready for their -departure. - -“Well, we’re leaving the camp cleaner than we found it,” Ken said, -making a last careful survey before they pulled out. - -Mr. Livingston turned the car around on the lot and started to drive -past the office. Before he could do so, a man came across the street -from a drugstore and signaled for the car to stop. - -As Mr. Livingston pulled up, the stranger said: “The hospital just -called.” - -“About Stony?” - -“Yes, the motel office seems to be closed. So they called my place.” - -“How is he?” Mr. Livingston inquired. - -“He’s taken a turn for the worse.” - -“You’ve told Walz?” - -The man from the drugstore shook his head. “Old Stony doesn’t want to -see Walz. It’s you folks he’s asking for. If you can, go right away, or -it may be too late.” - - - - - Chapter 4 - A BAG OF BEANS - - -In the corridor of Memorial Hospital, Doctor Alcott confirmed the -information the Scouts had been given—Old Stony had suffered a heart -attack and was not expected to live. - -“Is he still conscious?” Mr. Livingston asked. - -“Yes, and his mind remains alert. He has been asking repeatedly for the -Scouts. That’s why we sent for you. Sorry to bother you, but it seems to -mean a lot to the old man. Something appears to be on his mind.” - -“I’m glad you did call,” Mr. Livingston replied. “May we go in now?” - -“Yes, but it would be better if only two of you see him, and don’t stay -long.” - -Accordingly, while the others waited in the downstairs lobby, Hap and -Jack followed a nurse into the ward. A screen had been set up at Old -Stony’s bed to provide a measure of privacy. - -As Mr. Livingston and Jack paused beside him, the old fellow opened his -eyes and managed to grin feebly. - -“How are you feeling?” Jack asked, because he could think of nothing -else to say. - -“Not so hot,” Old Stony returned. His bloodless fingers plucked at the -sheet. “Reckon I’m about ready to mount my pale white horse and ride to -the last roundup.” - -“Not at all,” Mr. Livingston tried to reassure him. “In a few days -you’ll snap out of this. There’s fighting spirit in you, Stony.” - -“Ah, there’s fight, but the old ticker’s getting mighty tired.” - -Stony closed his eyes and for several minutes seemed almost to forget -his visitors. They were debating whether or not to slip away quietly, -when he aroused himself again. - -“Pull up your chairs and listen close,” he said. “I’ve got to tell you -something important.” - -“Are you sure you feel strong enough to talk?” Mr. Livingston inquired -doubtfully, as he and Jack brought their chairs to the bedside. - -“Fiddlesticks! If it takes my last breath, I have to get this off my -chest. Now, listen close, because I’m winding up to tell you the true -story o’ why I never went back to Colorado to live on my hard-earned -gold.” - -Jack and Hap exchanged a quick glance. Would the old man tell them -another wild tale, they wondered? Or would this story, in all -probability his last, be a true one? - -“Don’t be wasting time trying to find any of my family after I’ve kicked -off.” - -“You have no relatives?” - -“Nary a chick.” - -“How about your friend in Colorado?” Jack suggested. “I think Jarrett -Walz said his name was Craig Warner.” - -Old Stony rolled his head on the pillow. “That snooping rascal!” he -muttered. “He’s been in my things since they carted me off here!” - -“I’m afraid he has,” Mr. Livingston admitted. Fearful of agitating the -old man, he did not tell him the extent to which the motel owner had -gone through his personal papers. - -“Craig Warner isn’t exactly my friend,” Old Stony said slowly. “Reckon -he’d hate me if he knew the truth.” - -“You write to him sometimes?” Mr. Livingston suggested. - -“Now and then I scratch him a line. I’m not much on writing, and he -isn’t much on answering. Haven’t heard from him in more’n three years -now.” - -“If he’s not a friend, why write?” Jack asked, puzzled. - -“It’s because of my past. Craig doesn’t know this—he thinks I’m Hank -Stone, a screwball prospector. That’s the way I want it. But the reason -I kept in touch all these years is because he’s the only son o’ my old -podner, John Warner.” - -The effort of talking had tired Old Stony. He lay a while with eyes -closed and then continued. - -“I’m not one to deal from the bottom of a deck. I’m honest, I am. That’s -why I’ve never trusted Jarrett Walz. Maybe I’m being unfair. He gave me -a job, and for that I’m grateful. But I’d never trust him with my -secret.” - -“About the gold?” Jack prodded. - -Old Stony nodded. “I’ll start at the beginning,” he went on. “’Twas back -in the early 1900’s. I don’t exactly recollect the date. My podner, John -Warner, and I got ourselves enough grub to last three months. Then we -hit for the valley we later named Headless Hollow.” - -“Where was it?” Mr. Livingston asked. “West of Denver?” - -“Ay, it’s hard by a mountain where even to this day gold has never been -struck—at least, word of it hasn’t hit the papers.” - -“Most of the old gold fields are known—” Mr. Livingston started to say. - -The old man broke in: “Headless Valley is hard to get at. The vein my -podner and I found is rich, but it isn’t extensive enough to make it -worth while hauling in expensive mining equipment. So I reckon engineers -have given it the go-by.” - -“But you and your partner really found gold there?” Jack asked, rather -impressed. - -“We sure did. And then our troubles began. All that summer we worked -till our hands were blistered. We stacked the ore in two caches—one big -and one little. Our food began to run low. We knew we had to get out -fast before winter set in, but the gold held us. And then—” - -Old Stony shuddered and seemed unable to go on. But with an effort, he -forced himself to resume: - -“So far as we knew, there weren’t any human beings within forty miles of -Headless Valley. We never set eyes on a soul all that summer. But one -morning my podner showed up missing. I found him by the diggings, dead -with a bullet hole through the back of his head.” - -“What did you do?” Jack asked, becoming more engrossed. - -“I buried him not far from the little cabin we had built. Marked the -grave with his name too.” - -“Who killed John Warner?” Mr. Livingston asked. - -“All these years I’ve been asking myself that same question. Indians, I -reckon. Maybe Headless Hollow was sacred ground to ’em, and they didn’t -like us messing around.” - -“The killing wasn’t because of the gold?” - -“Reckon not,” Old Stony replied to the Scout leader’s inquiry. “Nary a -nugget was touched. I’m telling you, after poor John got his, I was -plumb scared. I couldn’t see anybody around, but I could feel ’em. Sort -o’ like ghosts.” - -“Ghosts don’t fire shots,” Mr. Livingston said dryly. - -“Danged right they don’t! I figured I’d be next if I didn’t light out o’ -there. I took a few of the nuggets that I could carry in a bag and hit -the trail. Doggone near froze to death before I finally got back to the -nearest town.” - -“You left the hidden gold?” Jack asked. - -“Yeah, and I reckon it’s still there today. At least, I don’t think -those caches would ever be found, unless by somebody who was watching -us, or by Indians.” - -“Why didn’t you go back later?” Mr. Livingston asked. - -Old Stony heaved a heavy sigh. “Figured you’d ask me that one. Reckon -I’ve got to answer true. When I got back—well, folks began whispering -that I was the one that did for poor old John. They said I shot him so I -could have the claim all to myself.” - -“Didn’t other prospectors try to find Headless Hollow?” Mr. Livingston -asked thoughtfully. “It’s inconceivable that your arrival with gold -wouldn’t set off a mad scramble.” - -“I fooled ’em. Told ’em a mess of lies that led ’em packing in the wrong -direction.” Old Stony grinned at the recollection. “They sure were -burned up! So to even the score, they got out a warrant charging me with -poor John’s murder. That was when I lit out.” - -“You left Colorado?” Jack prompted. - -“I sure did. First I went to California and lost my grubstake there. -Then I drifted back to Arizona, then on here to New Mexico. Always -figured some day I’d go back to Headless Hollow. But the years came on -too fast, and before I knew it, I was an old man and my last chance was -gone.” - -By this time, Jack and Mr. Livingston were convinced that Stony’s story -was at least half truth. As for his gold, they were of the opinion that -the one hoarded nugget that Walz had must have represented his entire -fortune. - -Therefore, it came as a surprise when the old man went on: “Now I’m -coming to the kernel o’ the nut. I reckon I owe poor old John a debt. -Half of that gold I took out of Headless Hollow I figured was his. I’ve -kept that half—never touched it, even when I didn’t know where my next -mouthful of meat was coming from. Now I want that gold to go to John’s -son, Craig Warner.” - -Jack and Mr. Livingston began to catch the drift of Stony’s thoughts, so -they were not too surprised at his request which came haltingly. - -“Reckon it’s a lot to ask o’ strangers—but I have no one I can trust. -I’m asking you—after I’m gone—will you get word to Craig Warner? Take -him the map—the one that shows the true trail to Headless Hollow and the -caches of gold. They’re his by rights, and I want him to have ’em.” - -“Where is this map?” Mr. Livingston asked, trying not to show that the -strange request troubled him. - -Old Stony leaned over to the edge of the bed, lowering his voice to a -whisper. - -“You’ll find it under the stones—fireplace—my cabin.” - -“We’ll be glad to look,” Mr. Livingston promised. “Where are we to find -Craig Warner?” - -“His address is in my box of papers—under the bed.” - -The lengthy conversation had greatly wearied Old Stony but, when Jack -and Mr. Livingston started to leave, with a feeble gesture of his hand -the prospector waved them back. - -“Just one thing more,” he said, his voice husky. “The gold—Craig -Warner’s share—you’ll find it—” - -A nurse had come to the bedside. With a quick glance at the patient, she -told the two visitors they had to leave at once. - -Old Stony summoned all his failing strength. Gazing steadily at Jack and -Hap, he said clearly: “The bag of pinto beans. The bag of beans. You -understand?” - -To satisfy the dying old man, the two visitors nodded. Stony fell back -on the pillow, a smile on his thin lips. - -“I’ve said my piece,” he whispered. “Now I’m ready for the long trip -over the range. God be with you.” - - - - - Chapter 5 - THE SEARCH - - -The nurse motioned for Jack and Mr. Livingston to leave. - -“Goodbye, Stony,” Jack said, reaching out to grasp the gnarled hand in a -last farewell. - -The old man’s lips twitched slightly, but his closed eyes did not open. -Jack and Mr. Livingston quietly departed. - -“I’m afraid we’ll never see the old fellow again,” the Scout leader said -with a shake of his head. - -Jack asked Hap what he thought of the story the old prospector had told. - -“I don’t rightly know,” he replied. “Stony seemed to be telling the -truth. It’s fantastic—and yet it’s possible that Headless Hollow may -actually exist.” - -War, Willie, and Ken were impatiently waiting in the hospital lobby. -Eagerly, the trio plied Jack and their leader with questions. With deep -interest, they listened to Hap’s report of the talk with Old Stony. - -“What’s our move, now?” Ken asked. “Do we pull out of Rocking Horse or -drive back to the motel?” - -“Back to the motel,” Hap decided. “Jack and I made a promise to Stony. -We must at least make an attempt to get Craig Warner’s address and -notify him.” - -“What about the map?” War demanded. - -“Oh, we might make a brief search for that too,” the Scout leader said -with a grin at War’s eagerness. - -“What did Stony say about gold nuggets being hidden in a bag of pinto -beans?” War went on. “And what are pinto beans?” - -“Pinto means mottled, doesn’t it?” Jack recollected. “Stony must have -meant some kind of fancy, painted bean. And that reminds me! I did see a -bag of something hanging on the wall!” - -“That’s right!” agreed Ken. “On a hook near the fireplace.” - -“After Stony had been struck, he raised up and looked directly at that -bag!” Jack added. “He seemed relieved that it was still there.” - -“Well, if ever Old Stony had any valuables, it’s a cinch Jarrett Walz -has them by now,” Willie contributed as the group left the hospital. -“Are we telling him about our talk with the old man?” - -“I think not,” Mr. Livingston decided. “Stony entrusted a secret to us. -Let’s keep it a secret.” - -The Scouts had hoped to return to the motel without meeting Walz again, -but in this they were disappointed. As their heavily laden car turned -into the driveway, the motel owner came out of his office. His scowl -told them that their unexpected return did not please him. - -However, he merely said: “Back so soon?” - -“We ran into complications,” Mr. Livingston rejoined, without explaining -about the hospital trip. - -Evidently, Walz had not learned that the Scouts had gone to Old Stony’s -bedside, for he continued: “You’re not figuring on staying here another -night?” - -“Well, we might,” the Scout leader replied. “It all depends. You don’t -object, do you?” - -“Object? Why should I? Not if you pay your camp fee. I’d think, though, -that you’d want to hit the road. There’s nothing of interest to see in -or around Rocking Horse.” - -“We like the place,” Jack said. “I vote to stay another day.” - -“Same here,” chimed in Willie. - -Mr. Livingston dug into his wallet and handed the motel owner two -dollars. For a moment, the Scouts thought Walz intended to refuse, but -with a shrug he pocketed the bills and told them to go back to their -former camp site. - -The Scouts busied themselves setting up the tents. They had no intention -of visiting Stony’s cabin while Jarrett Walz was near. - -“Keep an eye on the motel office,” Jack advised Willie. “If he leaves, -that’s our cue to go to work.” - -But Walz did not leave, and the Scouts began to grow restless. Finally, -Ken and Jack, without entering the cabin, began to inspect the ground -outside. Without much hope of finding anything significant, they -searched for a clue to the identity of Stony’s mysterious attacker. -Almost at once, Jarrett Walz came out of the motel office. His sudden -appearance made it clear he had been watching them all the while. - -“What are you boys doing?” he demanded. - -“Thought we might find a few footprints,” Jack replied carelessly. - -He stooped to inspect a large shoe imprint in a moist spot of earth not -far from the cabin door. - -“That’s from my boot,” Walz informed him. - -“Yes, it is,” Jack agreed, noticing that the heel print was identical -with one made by the shoe Walz wore. - -“Those prints don’t mean a thing. I’ve been in and out of that cabin -several times this morning. Fancy yourselves detectives, eh?” - -“No,” Ken told him evenly, “but we’d like to find out who attacked -Stony. You reported the affair to the police?” - -“The police were out here this morning. Reckon they heard about it from -the hospital.” - -“Any suspects?” - -“Not a one. Police are satisfied the motive was robbery. Probably some -hoodlum who met Stony was taken in by his story of having great wealth.” - -“You’re satisfied it was only a yarn?” Jack asked, watching the motel -owner’s face intently. - -“About the gold? Sure. He had only that one nugget.” - -“And the map?” - -Walz eyed Jack shrewdly. “Well, the old goat might have had a map,” he -conceded. “If so, he hid it in a good place. He didn’t give you any -hints, did he?” - -“Hints?” Jack repeated, stalling for time. He had no intention of -disclosing his knowledge to the motel owner. - -“Say, what about this fellow Craig Warner?” Ken interposed, to distract -Walz from the treasure map. “Do you know where he lives?” - -“On some ranch in Colorado. That’s all I can tell you.” - -“You didn’t find his address in those papers under the bed?” - -“No,” Walz answered shortly. - -He might have added more, but just then a call came from the motel -office. Walz was gone about ten minutes. When he returned, his face was -grim. - -“That was a telephone message from the hospital,” he reported. -“Stony’s—dead.” - -Ken and Jack accepted the information in silence. Though the sad news -was not unexpected, it gave them both an empty feeling to know that the -old fellow had indeed mounted his pale pony and ridden to the Last -Roundup. - -“I’ve got to go to the hospital now,” Walz went on, looking worried. -“Arrangements have to be made for the burial. I’d let the county do it, -but folks would talk. So I’ll dig down into my pocket, I suppose.” - -The Scouts did not reply. After a while, Walz went to his car and they -saw him drive away. - -“Now’s our chance!” Ken suggested. “I don’t like to do anything sneaky, -but it’s just as well Old Eagle Eye doesn’t know what we’re about.” - -“Now that poor Old Stony is gone, it’s even more important we find that -map and Craig Warner’s address,” Jack added. - -Ken went for Mr. Livingston and the other Scouts. The cabin door had not -been locked. - -Once inside, the group turned to the box of papers under the bed. The -collection of letters was pathetically small. There were two notes -written by a woman who signed herself Sadie, but the dates were so far -back, that even had there been an address, she would probably have no -longer been alive. - -The Scouts could find no letters from Craig Warner. They were about to -give up the search when Willie came upon the man’s address written in a -tiny notebook with yellowed pages. - -“Craig Warner, Red Cliffs Ranch, Elks Creek, Colorado,” he read aloud. -Mr. Livingston wrote down the address and then the Scouts turned their -attention to the search for gold and the treasure map. The bag of pinto -beans had been removed from the wall hook. However, Jack came upon it in -a corner of the room. - -“That bag was hanging on the wall last night,” he commented. “I hope -Jarrett Walz hasn’t been ahead of us.” - -As Jack emptied the colored beans onto the bed, the Scouts gathered -around. But the sight was disappointing. The bag contained nothing but -beans. - -“Not a single nugget,” War said in disgust. “Old Stony must have been -handing us a line!” - -“Not necessarily,” Jack replied, refilling the bag and returning it to -its former place on the wall hook. “Last night or this morning after -Stony was taken to the hospital, someone moved this bag.” - -“Walz?” Willie asked. - -“Could be. Of course, the cabin door has been unlocked, so maybe it’s -not fair to accuse him.” - -“It will be a waste of time even looking for the map,” Willie said. - -The others were inclined to agree with him. However, no one would have -willingly left the cabin without making the search. - -Jack and Ken dropped on hands and knees before the fireplace. Raking -away some of the loose, cold ashes, they began to explore the -hearthstones. - -To their surprise they hit one which moved a trifle. - -Jack pried it up with his knife. Beneath the stone lay a yellowed paper, -tightly folded. - -“The map!” he chortled. “Old Stony’s story may be true!” - - - - - Chapter 6 - THE THREAT - - -The Explorers and Mr. Livingston clustered close to Jack, peering at the -paper he had found under the hearthstones. Carefully, he spread the -yellowed sheet on the cabin floor. - -“It’s a map, all right,” Ken confirmed, studying it over Jack’s -shoulder. “A rough one, though. And the ink has faded.” - -The area on the map appeared to be in the most rugged section of the -Colorado Rockies, west of Denver and toward the southwest portion of the -state. So far as the Scouts could determine, the take-off point for Old -Stony’s Headless Hollow was a little town which had been mapped in as -Buckhorn. Other landmarks were Cinnamon Pass and Superstition Canyon. -Headless Hollow itself seemed guarded by twin mountain peaks, unnamed in -the sketch. - -“Well, it’s a map,” Mr. Livingston conceded. “That’s about all you can -say for it.” - -“Nothing is drawn in proportion,” Willie complained. “Most of the -directions for reaching Headless Hollow—if there is such a place—must -have been in Old Stony’s head.” - -“It’s my bet he purposely made it vague,” said Jack. - -“Probably wanted to fix it so that nobody stealing the map could have -reached the valley too easily,” Ken agreed. - -The Scouts politely waited for Mr. Livingston to offer his opinion. - -“We more or less made Old Stony a promise,” he reminded the group. “So -whether or not this map has value, it’s our duty to deliver it to Craig -Warner if we can find him.” - -“That may not be so easy,” remarked Jack. “Stony’s information isn’t -very up to date. Elks Creek may or may not be a recent address.” - -“In any case—” Happy started to say. - -“Watch it,” Jack warned in an undertone. - -Quick as a flash, he scooped the map from the floor, thrusting it under -his jacket. - -The reason for his action was immediately apparent. Footsteps had been -heard on the gravel driveway outside the cabin. Before the Scouts could -move away from the fireplace, Jarrett Walz loomed on the threshold. His -suspicious glance roved from one face to another, but the Scouts -volunteered no explanation for their presence in the cabin. - -He said sharply: “Well! I hardly expected to find you here!” - -“We weren’t looking for you back so soon,” Willie stammered. - -“That’s quite obvious. What are you doing here?” - -“No harm, I assure you,” Mr. Livingston said. “To be quite truthful, we -promised Old Stony that if anything happened to him, we’d try to get in -touch with someone he knew.” - -“Craig Warner?” - -“Yes.” - -“Looking after Stony’s affairs is my job, not yours,” the motel owner -said, his dark eyes snapping. - -“We’re not trying to intervene, we assure you.” - -“You had no business seeing my workman in the hospital!” Jarrett Walz -continued, his voice rising. “Oh, you kept quiet about your visit there, -but I learned of it, all the same!” - -“We made no secret of our trip,” Mr. Livingston replied. He was trying -to remain polite, but the motel owner’s belligerent attitude annoyed -him. - -“That’s so,” War chimed in, glaring at Walz. “We went because the old -man sent for us.” - -“He sent for you?” the motel owner repeated, his eyes glittering. “Why?” - -War had told more than he intended. He began to stall: “Well, the old -fellow was dying. He just wanted to see us.” - -“About what?” - -“Just to see us.” - -“You must think me very stupid to accept that! Why shouldn’t he have -sent for me? Here I’ve given him bed and board, but in his last hour, he -turns to five utter strangers! Folks in Rocking Horse will say—” - -“Yes?” Mr. Livingston prompted, as the motel owner interrupted himself. - -“They’ll say Old Stony was ungrateful,” Mr. Walz completed. “And he -was!” - -From the shifty look of the motel operator’s eyes, the Scouts judged -that he had checked himself on the verge of saying something entirely -different. Though they had no evidence, it struck them that in all -probability over the years Jarrett Walz had profited quite handsomely -from the old prospector’s unpaid labor. - -“Any information on Stony’s attacker?” Mr. Livingston inquired. - -“No. I talked briefly with a police officer at the hospital. Stony died -from a heart attack, not the results of the blow.” - -“So there will be no investigation?” - -“Oh, a routine one,” Jarrett Walz answered with a shrug, “but whoever -slugged Stony probably hopped a train and blew out of town.” - -The Scouts were convinced that the motel owner had succeeded in -discouraging any police investigation. Publicity no doubt would harm his -business. Though they did not like the way he had handled the affair, -they told themselves it really was none of their concern. - -“Well, boys, we may as well get back to our own camp,” Mr. Livingston -suggested, edging toward the door. - -Jarrett Walz did not move aside. - -“Just a minute,” he said. “I’ll appreciate an explanation before you -go.” - -“An explanation?” Mr. Livingston asked, puzzled. “For what?” - -“Your presence in this cabin.” - -The Scout adviser began to grow irritated, yet he managed to keep his -voice controlled. - -“We did explain, I think. We were looking for Craig Warner’s address.” - -“You found it?” - -“We did.” - -“And what do you intend to do with it?” - -“Notify Warner of Stony’s death, naturally.” - -“You think he’d care?” Jarrett Walz demanded with a slight sneer. “I -doubt he ever laid eyes on that old coot.” - -“That’s beside the point. We made a promise to Stony, and we intend to -keep it.” - -“A Scout’s word is to be trusted, eh?” - -“It is.” - -“Okay,” Walz retorted triumphantly. “Then tell me the truth—no more of -your double talk. You came here to find more than an address.” - -“Perhaps we did,” the Scout leader rejoined. “As I recollect, you made a -rather careful search of this cabin yourself.” - -“That’s different,” Walz said, immediately on the defensive. “Stony was -my workman. You are strangers here.” - -“You have a point,” Mr. Livingston conceded, determined not to argue. “I -suggest you lock the cabin door.” - -“It’s like locking the barn after the horse is stolen!” Walz said, eying -the Scout leader calculatingly. “You’re deliberately hiding something! I -think you came here to find the old man’s gold!” - -“Why, you—” War exclaimed, half lunging at the motel owner. - -Ken and Jack restrained him. - -“Spunky little tiger, aren’t you?” Walz demanded with a hard, mirthless -laugh. - -“It seems to me,” drawled Jack, addressing the motel owner, “that you’re -changing your tune about the gold. Until now, you’ve maintained Stony’s -tale was fantastic.” - -“And so it is!” - -“You’re the one who should know,” Willie said significantly. “You were -the first to go through Old Stony’s things.” - -The Scouts expected the motel owner to fly into a rage at this -accusation, but to their surprise he shrugged it off. - -“I found nothing. Absolutely nothing.” - -“Not even in the bag of pinto beans?” War asked. - -Walz’ lips twitched, and a flush overspread his ruddy cheeks. - -“I see Old Stony did tell you quite a story,” he sneered. “Oh, you can’t -fool me! You weren’t here on any good-will mission. You were looking for -gold and a treasure map.” - -“You’ve changed your idea about the map, too,” Jack accused him. - -“Maybe I have! Maybe I’ve come to the conclusion Old Stony told you a -few things he never entrusted to any other person in Rocking Horse.” - -“Conclude as you please,” Mr. Livingston said shortly. - -“I’m asking a straight question. Did you find a map in this cabin?” - -“You’ll have to learn that answer for yourself, my friend.” - -Walz and the Scout leader gazed steadily at one another. Then abruptly -the motel owner’s manner changed. He moved aside so that the Scouts -could file out the cabin door. - -“You have the map,” he said in an oddly quiet voice. “I knew it the -moment I stepped into this room.” - -No one gave Walz the satisfaction of a reply. - -He continued, his tone a warning: “Just bear in mind one thing. In -trusting you with his secret, Old Stony may have passed on to you his -own misfortune—the curse that hangs over Headless Hollow!” - - - - - Chapter 7 - UNDER THE TENT FLAP - - -Back in their own camp, the Explorers made certain Jarrett Walz had not -followed them. - -Then, in the privacy of the larger tent, they eagerly spread out the -treasure map for a closer inspection. Jack got the Colorado road guide -from the car, and they pored over it, trying to pinpoint Headless -Hollow. - -“There’s no such place,” War announced after a long study of the basic -Colorado map. - -“You didn’t expect to find Headless Hollow printed in big red letters, -did you?” Ken demanded. - -“That was only a name Old Stony and his partner gave the valley,” Jack -added. - -“We can’t find any of the landmarks either,” War grumbled, “or that town -where Craig Warner is supposed to live—Elks Creek.” - -“It may be too small a place to be on a road map,” Mr. Livingston -returned. “Buckhorn, too.” - -“This treasure map isn’t drawn to scale, either,” Willie said with a -frown. “Most of the canyons and mountain peaks aren’t named. The main -landmark seems to be those twin peaks which guard the entrance to the -valley.” - -“We’re not going there, anyhow,” Ken said, giving him an amused, knowing -look. “So why worry about it?” - -“Well, it would be exciting to look for that cache of gold,” Willie -retorted. - -“If we could locate a take-off town it might not be too far out of our -way,” War put in eagerly. “How about it, Hap?” - -Mr. Livingston smiled but shook his head. - -“No treasure hunting on this trip, boys. We’re supposed to be back in -Belton City by the end of the week.” - -“Oh, a few days more or less wouldn’t matter,” War said carelessly. - -“There’s a little matter of money,” Ken reminded him. “We have just -enough, with a few dollars in reserve, to make it home.” - -“I know,” War admitted, crestfallen. “But a fellow can dream, can’t he?” - -Jack continued to study the map. - -“Make anything of it?” Ken asked. - -“Either on purpose, or because he was careless, Stony made his markings -vague. He was especially slack about printing in names.” - -“What’ll we do with the map?” Willie asked the Scout leader. - -“It’s our duty to turn it over to Craig Warner. Our best bet will be to -send him a wire.” - -“Telling him we have the map?” - -“No, Willie. Not in the first wire. We’ll report Stony’s death and ask -him to reply.” - -It had been the Scout plan to start on toward Belton City, a journey of -several days, but in view of the promise made to Old Stony, they now -were uncertain what to do. - -“We’ve already lost most of the morning,” Mr. Livingston said, looking -at his wristwatch. “If I get a telegram off right away, we might have a -reply by tonight if we’re lucky.” - -He reflected a moment, then reached a decision. - -“We’ve paid for the site until tomorrow morning, boys. If we’re ever -going to hear from Craig Warner, we ought to have a reply by that time.” - -Willie and Warwick decided to ride into the main section of town with -the Scout adviser. Jack and Ken agreed to watch the camp while the -others were dispatching the telegram. - -“Don’t let Walz or anyone grab that map,” Willie warned, as the car -pulled away. - -Left to themselves, Jack and Ken discussed Old Stony for a while. Now -that they were away from the hospital and the magic of his voice, the -tale of treasure seemed farfetched. - -“Maybe it was just a fixation he had,” Ken said thoughtfully. “I’ve read -of old prospectors drawing maps of imaginary places. Then they’d dream -over ’em so long they’d convince themselves the treasure was real.” - -“Jarrett Walz seemed to think Stony’s story mostly hot air. At least, -that’s what he put out at first. But if he didn’t believe it, why did he -paw through everything in the cabin?” - -“Including that bag of pinto beans.” - -“Yeah, Ken, it’s just possible he found a few nuggets in the -beans—enough to get him excited about the map.” - -“What did you think of his crack about the curse of Headless Hollow?” - -“Melodrama. Maybe he wanted to discourage us from going there.” - -“If so,” Ken grinned, “he went about it the wrong Way. He should know -that adventure is our dish!” - -“Walz may know more about Old Stony’s past than he’s letting on,” Jack -said thoughtfully. “You notice he gets his statements mixed. Another -thing, he poohpoohs the idea of a treasure, but he seems wild to get his -hands on this map.” - -Ken nodded. “We should hide it in a safe spot.” - -“Where?” - -“Not in our duffel bags. That would be the first place he’d look.” - -Jack’s eye fell upon the tent flap. “Why not under there?” he suggested. -“At least until Hap gets back with the car?” - -“Good idea.” - -Folding the map into a tiny square, they hid it under the tent flap. -Then, satisfied that it would be safe, they set about preparing lunch. - -By the time Mr. Livingston, War, and Willie drove up, a big pot of stew -was giving off a delightful aroma. Ken made tea and tossed a handful of -raisins in the boiling rice. - -“Any news?” Jack asked the Scout leader, as they all sat down at a -picnic table to eat. - -“Nothing of consequence. We sent off the telegram. The telegraph company -agent promised to telephone us here if there is any answer.” - -“What about Stony?” Ken questioned, after a moment. “Police haven’t -caught that fellow who attacked him?” - -“No. We dropped around at the station. Apparently, Jarrett Walz was -right—the investigation won’t be carried on with any vigor.” - -“What—about the arrangements—Stony’s burial?” - -“Tomorrow at 10 A.M. The town is providing for a simple service.” - -“Not Walz, then?” - -“He’s contributing a small amount.” - -“I’d like to chip in for flowers,” Jack said soberly. “Even if our money -is short, we can manage it, can’t we?” - -“Yes, Jack,” Mr. Livingston nodded. “While we were in town, we arranged -for a wreath. It seemed the least we could do. Stony was a stranger and -yet, somehow, he moved us all deeply.” - -“I got a queer feeling about him,” War added, staring at his plate. - -“What kind of feeling?” Ken asked. - -“It’s hard to explain.” War groped for words. “It’s as if his ghost were -here—sort o’ nudging us on—saying we should follow the lead he gave us.” - -No one laughed. - -Finally, Mr. Livingston said, “If we hear from Craig Warner, and Elks -Creek isn’t too many miles out of our way, we could deliver the map.” - -This thought at once caused the Explorers to become more cheerful. - -“About going on to Buckhorn—” War began, but Mr. Livingston shook his -head. - -“It’s a matter of time and money, Warwick. After all, we’ve had our -vacation.” - -“And a dandy one it was!” announced Jack, beginning to gather up the -cups. “I’m not going to grieve over Old Stony’s hidden gold. Quit your -coaxing, War, and get those dishes done!” - -Shortly after 2 P. M., as the Scouts restlessly idled about camp, they -saw Jarrett Walz drive up. From the way he slammed the door as he went -into the motel office, they judged he was in a bad mood. This was made -even more evident a few minutes later when he tramped down the road to -ask them if they had decided when they would leave Rocking Horse. - -“Tomorrow some time, probably,” Mr. Livingston told him. - -“Our town seems to have quite an attraction for you.” - -“Not exactly.” - -“You’re certainly taking a deep interest in Stony’s unfortunate -affairs,” the motel owner went on, scowling. “I heard about that -telegram you sent to Craig Warner.” - -“Oh! News travels fast in Rocking Horse.” - -“It does. I might say you seem to be assuming responsibilities. Some -might have a less polite name for it.” - -“Meaning?” - -“Ever since you hit this town, you’ve been sticking your nose into -affairs that don’t concern you.” - -“Sorry if it seems that way to you,” Mr. Livingston said with a shrug. - -“Why did you send a wire to Craig Warner?” - -“To notify him of Old Stony’s death.” - -“That wasn’t your sole reason.” - -“You have all the answers,” Mr. Livingston replied, finding it hard to -keep his temper. “Why bother to ask any questions?” - -“Because I strongly suspect Old Stony told you something you’re hiding -from me.” - -Mr. Livingston made up his mind to end the unpleasant conversation. - -“We promised Stony we would get in touch with the son of his old -partner. That’s why we sent the telegram. Tomorrow we’ll be away from -here, and you can handle affairs as you see fit.” - -The reply obviously did not satisfy Jarrett Walz but, apparently -realizing his tactics would get him nowhere, he went away. - -For the Scouts it was a long, boring day. With nothing to do, the hours -dragged. All began to look forward to the morrow when they would take to -the road once more. Twice Mr. Livingston and Ken drove to the telegraph -office to inquire if an answer had been received to the wire. No word -had come. - -“Craig Warner may not exist except in Old Stony’s mind,” the Scout -leader observed upon his return to camp at dusk, “or he may have moved -to another community.” - -“What’ll we do about the map?” Willie asked in a troubled voice. - -“If there’s no reply by morning, I think the best thing to do is send it -by registered mail,” the Scout adviser decided. - -The warm night closed in somewhat cloudy. After supper, the Scouts sat -for a while about the camp fire, cracking a few jokes and trying to -shake themselves into a more cheerful mood. Old Stony’s death hung over -them, and they could not seem to get him out of their thoughts. It was -depressing to look at his darkened cabin. - -“I’ll be glad to leave in the morning,” Jack said, preparing to turn in -for the night. “Up at crack of dawn, you guys!” - -The fire burned out, and the camp quieted. Jack, with the health of -youth, slept soundly. Now and then he aroused briefly as cars drove into -the motel section of the parking lot, but quickly he dozed off again. - -Then suddenly he was awake once more. For a second, he could not imagine -what had aroused him. But as he lay still, listening, he distinctly -heard the crackle of a twig. - -He crept to the door of the shelter, peering out. - -The night was very dark but, even without switching on a flashlight, he -could see a man moving stealthily toward the Scout automobile parked -beyond the picnic tables. - -As Jack watched in growing anger, the fellow deliberately tested the car -doors to see if they were locked. - - - - - Chapter 8 - WALZ’ PROPOSITION - - -The tall fellow, who crouched by the car, picked up a rock. Guessing -that he meant to smash the door handle, Jack let out a wild yell. - -“Get away from there, you!” - -The man dropped the rock. Startled, he whirled and ran for the trees. -Jack took after him, but he did not have on his shoes. The rocks and -stones slashed his feet and impeded him. - -The intruder, amazingly fast in retreat, vanished behind the motel -buildings. Losing sight of him, Jack finally limped back to camp. - -“Hey, what’s the idea?” Willie greeted him. “You made more noise than a -tribe of Indians!” - -“Lucky I did, too!” - -All the Scouts and Mr. Livingston were awake by now. They pressed Jack -for an explanation. - -Recovering breath, he said in disgust: “I let him get away.” - -“Who got away?” Mr. Livingston demanded. - -“That’s what I don’t know. Someone was trying to break into the sedan.” - -Mr. Livingston went over to try the car doors. All remained locked. - -“I yelled and scared him away before he managed to break the handle,” -Jack went on. “You know—he looked a lot like that fellow we saw -streaking away from Stony’s cabin last night.” - -“The attacker?” Willie interposed. “S-a-y, maybe it was the same guy!” - -“And maybe it’s lucky we weren’t slugged in our sleep!” War added. - -“He acted as if his main objective was the car.” - -“Nothing in there except some of our unpacked luggage,” Mr. Livingston -said thoughtfully. “He could have been after the car.” - -“Or something he believed might be hidden or locked up there,” Jack -suggested. - -“The map!” exclaimed Ken. - -“That’s how it struck me,” Jack nodded. “I’m glad we hid it under the -tent flap. Let’s hope it’s still there.” - -“It has to be,” Ken returned. “I’ve been in camp every minute since you -hid it.” - -Nevertheless, to reassure themselves, the Scouts peered beneath the -flap. When folded back, it served as an open doorway. When lowered, it -provided a curtain across the front opening. - -“Still here,” Jack said in relief. - -“Maybe that guy wasn’t after it at all,” Ken said doubtfully. “Who would -know we have the map?” - -“Jarrett Walz, for one,” piped up Willie. - -“Can’t picture him coming to our camp at night,” Ken said. “Did it look -like Walz, Jack?” - -“Not especially. I didn’t get a glimpse of anything but his back. He lit -out like a house afire.” - -“Well, boys, he’s gone,” Mr. Livingston said, yawning. “We may have a -rough day tomorrow. So I suggest we try to get a little more sleep -before dawn.” - -Once more the Scouts settled down. Throughout the remainder of the -night, the only disturbing sound was the rumble of traffic past the -motel office. - -Jack was up with the sun. He and Willie were starting to prepare -breakfast, when they heard the crunch of gravel. Looking around, they -saw Mr. Walz approaching the camp. - -“Trouble,” Willie muttered. - -However, he was wrong. The motel owner seemed to be in a most pleasant -mood. In fact, he carried a covered dish. - -“Good morning, boys,” he greeted them. “My wife sent over these hot -biscuits. We thought you’d like a taste of home cooking for a change.” - -Willie opened his jaws to let fall a stinging comment. Then he closed -his lips firmly and kept his thoughts to himself. - -“Thanks,” Jack said. “Biscuits will go fine with our bacon and eggs.” - -“My wife sent some jam, too. Nothing like a good breakfast before you -hit the road.” - -Jack and Willie exchanged a quick glance. They figured they knew the -reason behind the motel owner’s unexpected generosity. He was eager to -speed them on their way! - -“Is your leader anywhere around?” Walz inquired, after he had set the -pan down on a stump near the camp fire. - -Just then Mr. Livingston came out of the tent carrying his shaving -equipment. - -“Good morning, good morning,” Mr. Walz cried heartily. “I hope you had a -good night’s rest.” - -“Not especially. Someone tried to break into our car.” - -“You don’t say!” - -With a show of concern, Mr. Walz asked for details. - -“Y’ know,” the motel owner said, after they had explained, “now that -Stony is gone, I’ll have to hire someone—a more active man—to guard -these grounds at night.” - -“You’ve had trouble before?” the Scout leader inquired. - -“No, not until night before last. I was told, though, that a -suspicious-looking character was seen loitering around here yesterday -while I was away.” - -“You didn’t mention it to us last night.” - -“Didn’t want to alarm you. It may be he’s the same fellow who got into -poor Old Stony’s cabin.” - -“You’ve notified the police, I suppose?” - -“Well, no,” Mr. Walz admitted, avoiding the Scout leader’s direct gaze. -“I didn’t have enough evidence to go on.” - -“Besides, you thought Stony’s attacker blew town yesterday. Remember?” - -“Yes, that’s so,” the motel man agreed with a self-conscious laugh. - -By this time, the Scouts had no faith in Walz’ word, and he seemed to be -aware of the unfavorable impression he had created. - -“I’ve been very upset about the attack on Stony,” he went on. “And all -the talk about his gold and a treasure map worries me, too.” - -“Why should that worry you?” Ken drawled. - -“As I said before, I seriously doubt there is any gold—” - -“There’s a place he calls Headless Hollow—” War exclaimed, and then -faltered. - -“Headless Hollow,” Mr. Walz repeated softly. “So he did tell you about -that place in the Colorado Rockies? And he gave you the map too!” - -“Stony wasn’t taking anything with him when he went to the hospital,” -Jack reminded the motel owner. “As I recall, you were the first to go -through his things.” - -“And you were close on my heels!” Walz brought himself up short. -“However, I didn’t come here to quarrel. I know you have the map and, as -a gentleman, I request that you show it to me.” - -Had Walz made his request in this manner the previous day, the Scouts -would have allowed him to inspect the paper they had found. Now, -distrusting his motives, they were unwilling to produce the map. - -“Well?” he demanded impatiently. - -“Sorry,” Mr. Livingston replied. “I’ll admit we do have a piece of paper -Stony left. But it must be delivered to Craig Warner.” - -“So that’s why you sent him a telegram yesterday?” - -“It is.” - -For a minute, the Scouts thought Jarrett Walz would storm and object. He -seemed to gain control of himself only after an inward struggle. When he -spoke, his voice was friendly, cheerful. - -“I’ve told you how I took care of Stony for years—gave him a job, -clothing, food—everything. Ask anyone in Rocking Horse if it isn’t -true.” - -“We don’t doubt it,” Mr. Livingston returned. - -“Believe me, I have no desire for personal gain,” Walz resumed. “I do -feel that if Stony left any money or a rich claim, I should be entitled -to repayment for a portion of what I’ve put out in his behalf.” - -“That seems fair enough,” the Scout leader agreed. - -“Stony told me dozens of times he intended me to have everything he -owned. At the very end, he turned against me—only because his mind was -failing. He began to think of Craig Warner—a man he never saw in his -lifetime, so far as I know.” - -“That probably is so,” Mr. Livingston conceded. - -“Now I’m willing enough the map should go to Craig Warner, if that was -Stony’s last wish. But who knows where Warner is?” - -“We’ve had no luck in getting in touch with him so far,” the Scout -leader admitted. - -“Exactly. Suppose you never find him? Then what becomes of the map?” - -Mr. Livingston replied that he had given no thought to that possibility. - -“It seems to me,” Walz said, speaking slowly, “that if you fail to find -Warner, the map ought to be turned over to me.” - -“Your request is a reasonable one.” - -“I thought you’d see it my way,” Walz said in relief. “Then it’s -settled. Turn the map over to me, and I’ll do my best to find Warner. If -I don’t find him, I’ll keep it.” - -“Hold on!” Mr. Livingston said, smiling broadly. “We made a promise to -Stony, and we shall do all we can to find Craig Warner ourselves.” - -“You mean you don’t trust me.” - -“It’s not that,” the Scout leader replied. “We just feel we owe it to -Stony to deliver the map ourselves.” - -“And if you fail?” - -“Then there may be no reason why you shouldn’t have it. The Scouts, I -assure you, have no intention of going on a wild gold chase.” - -When it became clear to the motel owner that he could not move Mr. -Livingston, he asked, “Then how do you plan to deliver the map?” - -“The safest way would be to take it to Elks Creek—if there is such a -place.” - -“Elks Creek is a real place, all right,” Walz informed him, “but it’s an -out-of-the way cow town off the main highway. I could take you there, -only my car is out of commission.” - -The Scouts waited, wondering what the motel owner had in mind. It was -obvious that he was leading up to something. - -“This is my proposition,” Walz said. “Elks Creek isn’t any more than -seventy-five or one hundred miles out of your way, if you’re traveling -east. Take me along, and I’ll pay the entire cost of the trip from here -to Craig Warner’s place.” - -Despite themselves, the Scouts were rather amazed at the generous offer. - -“There’s just one little string attached to my offer,” the motel owner -added. “If we fail to find Craig Warner, then I’ll expect you to hand -over the map.” - - - - - Chapter 9 - SHORT CUT - - -“Well, how about it?” Jarrett Walz asked impatiently, as the Scouts -stood mute. “My proposition is a fair one.” - -“Yes, it is,” Mr. Livingston acknowledged. - -“Then why hesitate? Are you afraid to team up with me?” - -“No, we’re not afraid, Mr. Walz.” - -“You don’t think I’m trying to outwit you?” - -“We’re taken by surprise,” Mr. Livingston replied. “You offer to pay all -the expenses of the trip?” - -“I do. That is, from here to Elks Creek. Meals. Overnight lodging, if we -have to hole up in Colorado.” - -“What can you hope to gain from such an arrangement?” Hap went on. - -“Nothing, probably. The chances are we’ll find Craig Warner and turn the -map over to him. But if no such person exists, the map will be mine.” - -“And you rate the map so highly?” - -Walz began to feel hemmed in by his own conflicting statements. He -hesitated, then said, “I want that map. Maybe I misled you at first -because I didn’t know anything about you or your motives. But there’s an -outside chance Stony’s map may have some value.” - -The Scouts were far more inclined to trust the motel owner now that he -made a frank admission of his interest in the paper. - -“Well, what do you say?” he prodded. - -“We’ll have to think it over,” Mr. Livingston stalled. - -“How long will you need?” - -“We figured on going to the telegraph office again before we pull -out—and to the funeral.” - -“I’ll meet you here at eleven o’clock,” Walz suggested. “By that time, I -must have your answer.” - -“You’ll have it,” Mr. Livingston promised. “If we should accept, how -soon could you be ready to leave?” - -“In ten minutes. All I need to do is toss a few things into a suitcase.” - -“We’ll see you at eleven o’clock,” Mr. Livingston replied. - -Over breakfast, the Scouts discussed the matter, finding it difficult to -reach a decision. They still distrusted Jarrett Walz. On the other hand, -it seemed selfish to deny him a ride to Elks Creek when his own car was -not in good running order. - -“And he’s offered to pay all expenses,” War reminded the group as he -reached for a second biscuit. “That’s quite an item.” - -“I’m for taking him up,” said Willie. “We’d get back to Belton City with -cash in our treasury.” - -Mr. Livingston gazed at Jack and Ken, waiting to hear their opinions. - -“I don’t know,” Jack admitted frankly. “On the surface it looks okay, -but—” - -“I feel the same,” said Ken. “Before making a decision, why not inquire -in town as to Walz’ reputation?” - -“A good suggestion,” the Scout adviser answered. “We’ll do it on our -trip to the telegraph station.” - -After breakfast, the Scouts struck camp, packing everything into the car -and transferring the map to Mr. Livingston’s billfold for safekeeping. -As they started to pull out of the parking yard, Mr. Walz came rushing -out of the motel. - -“Don’t worry, we aren’t leaving for good,” Mr. Livingston reassured him. -“We’ll see you at eleven o’clock as we promised.” - -At the telegraph office, the Scouts were told that no answer had been -received to their telegram. Then they stopped at the post office and the -bank. While the Scouts were mailing cards home, Mr. Livingston made a -few inquiries about Mr. Walz. The information he received was not very -helpful. However, the motel owner seemed to be well regarded in the -community. - -“So far as I can gather, this is the picture,” Mr. Livingston told the -Explorers. “Walz did give Stony a home when the old fellow wasn’t able -to do much work. He’s considered a hard driver but fair. Stony wasn’t -too grateful for what he received.” - -“Maybe we misjudged Walz,” Jack said thoughtfully. “Well, what’s our -decision?” - -“How can we lose by taking him up?” Willie argued. “I’m for it.” - -The others offered no objection, so it was decided that Walz’ -proposition should be accepted. - -“Just a word of warning,” Mr. Livingston advised. “Walz knows we have -the map. Let’s not tell him who has it, or give him any detail of what -it shows.” - -“If I know him, he’ll try to pry it out of us,” War chuckled. “But my -lips are sealed.” - -The Scouts attended Stony’s funeral along with a few townspeople, and -Walz was not present. When they drove back to the motel, he was waiting -for them. - -“My suitcase is packed,” he announced. “Ready?” - -“You’re taking our acceptance for granted?” Mr. Livingston remarked -dryly. - -“Figured you wouldn’t turn it down,” the motel owner said with a grin. -“Where do I ride?” - -Willie slid out of the front seat to make room for him and crowded into -the back with War and Jack. - -“If you want, I can take the wheel,” Walz offered, once his suitcase had -been stowed away. “I know this road like a book.” - -“I’ll drive,” Mr. Livingston said, “but thanks.” - -The Explorers had decided to be cordial to Walz, and therefore they kept -up a polite conversation. The motel owner was in a good mood and -seemingly had an endless stock of stories to relate. At first the Scouts -did not mind, but after an hour or so they began to weary of his -chatter. - -When the car made its first stop at a filling station to get gas, true -to his bargain Walz paid the bill. - -“Maybe he’ll be okay, after all,” Willie remarked to Jack as they -checked the tires before driving on. - -“Maybe,” Jack agreed. “Time will tell.” - -Once the party was well beyond the Colorado border, Walz began to -suggest short-cut roads which he said would greatly reduce the mileage. -Feeling that the motel owner knew the country, Mr. Livingston and the -Explorers accepted his advice. But as the roads became increasingly -poor, they wondered if they actually were saving any time. Late in the -afternoon, when they were confronted with a choice of highways, Mr. -Livingston stopped the car so as to study the road map. - -“No. 416 will take us directly into Elks Creek,” Hap said. “With luck, -we ought to get there before dark.” - -With his forefinger, Walz traced another route. “It’s 40 miles shorter -this way,” he pointed out. - -“Your short cuts haven’t worked out so far,” the Scout leader objected. - -“But I know this country,” said Walz. “This road is paved all the way.” - -“All right, if you’re sure,” Mr. Livingston said, “but I don’t like the -look of the sky.” - -Black, fast-moving clouds were swirling over the distant mountain peaks. - -“Oh, it may rain a little,” Walz replied carelessly. “All the more -reason for taking the shorter road that’s paved.” - -The highway he had insisted on taking ran for a while through desolate -territory, and they didn’t meet any other cars. There were no houses or -filling stations, and the only persons they saw along the road were -occasional Indians. However, the highway was paved, as Walz had said. -Instead of having bridges, the road dipped down through dry creek beds. - -Jack called attention to a sign which read: “Notice to Motorists: Do not -attempt to cross if creek is running more than six inches deep.” - -“Sometimes these creeks come up fast,” Walz explained carelessly. “The -mountains feed the streams at a terrific rate, especially if there’s -been a heavy downpour above.” - -“Cheerful thought,” commented Ken, studying the clouds again. - -“I’ve read of cars being swept away,” Mr. Livingston remarked. “Maybe we -should have taken the other road.” - -Walz regarded him scornfully. “Why, the creeks are bone dry.” - -“They won’t be for long,” Mr. Livingston replied. “It’s starting to -rain.” - -Huge drops splashed the windshield. Faster and faster they came down. -Mr. Livingston suggested pulling up until the rain was over. - -“That may be an hour,” Walz rasped. He was looking worried. “This is -coming down like a regular cloudburst. If we don’t get through this -area, we’ll be trapped maybe for half a day between creeks.” - -The Scouts said nothing. They were deeply annoyed, however, that the -motel owner by his stubborn insistence had brought them to this sorry -situation. Mr. Livingston hesitated and then decided to accept Walz’ -advice. He drove on. - -Rain was already falling so fast that it became difficult for him to see -the road ahead. - -“This is awful!” the Scout leader gasped. “We ought to stop—” - -“No!” Walz shouted. “Another creek lies ahead. Once we get through that, -we’ll be all right.” - -“How far?” - -“Only a mile or two.” - -With a worried shake of his head, Mr. Livingston kept on. Rain fell in a -deluge, threatening to damp out the car motor. - -“The creek is just ahead,” Walz encouraged him. - -“How deep is the water running?” the Scout leader demanded. - -Water sprayed the windshield and he could not make out even the drop-off -of the pavement into the depression. - -“It’ll be okay,” Walz assured him. “The rain hasn’t been falling long. -Keep on.” - -Mr. Livingston obeyed and immediately regretted it. The moment the car -rolled down into the creek bed, he saw that the water was far higher -than he had imagined. It swirled angrily around the tires and kept -creeping higher. Too late, Mr. Livingston saw he could not back out. - -“Jeepers!” Walz exclaimed. “The rain must have started earlier in the -mountains! Keep going, man! Keep going!” - -Mr. Livingston was doing his best, but the motor sputtered and died. - -The car rolled a few feet farther and stopped in the lowest point of the -raging torrent. - - - - - Chapter 10 - TRICKERY - - -“We’re in it now!” Walz shrieked, staring in horror at the fast-rising -water. “The car will be swept away!” - -Mr. Livingston tried desperately to get the motor started. - -“You should have seen the water was too deep for a crossing!” Walz -whimpered. “It’s rising so fast you can see it!” - -Ken, who was riding in the center of the front seat, shoved past the -motel owner and got out of the car. Jack, Willie and War, in the back -seat, followed suit. The water was up to their knees and rising -unbelievably fast. - -“Altogether, push!” Jack ordered. - -The four applied their shoulders and shoved. The car moved ahead through -the swirling, raging water, but could not make the steep incline. Back -it rolled. - -“Again!” Jack urged. - -Walz did not offer to help, though he must have known that his strength -was vitally needed in this desperate race against time. - -“We’ll never get ’er out,” Willie muttered in despair. - -Once more the Scouts heaved, and again the car began to roll. This time, -as the uphill grade became too much of a barrier, Mr. Livingston helped -move the car on the battery. Inch by inch it crept up the sloping bank -to the higher road above. - -War made a last powerful shove, lost his balance, and sprawled in the -torrent. Jack grabbed him, and they all splashed out of the stream. Wet -and bedraggled, they climbed back into the car to consider their plight. - -“I suspect the spark plug is damp,” Mr. Livingston said, getting out a -handkerchief with which to wipe it. “The engine stalled even before we -hit the deep water.” - -Despite protests from the Scouts, he took his turn in the rain. Walz, -however, made no offer to help. Scowling, he sat huddled in the steamy -car. - -After twenty minutes of fussing with the spark plug, the Scout leader -managed to get the engine started again. By that time, the rain had -slackened considerably. - -“Any more creek beds ahead?” Mr. Livingston asked Walz as the car crept -forward once more. - -“No,” Walz snapped. “I suppose you’re blaming me for what happened?” - -“I didn’t hear anyone making any complaints,” the Scout leader replied. -“An accident is an accident.” - -“Well, it wasn’t my fault. How was I to know there had been a cloudburst -up in the mountains?” - -“It’s always a wise precaution—” Mr. Livingston started to say and then -cut himself off. He finished: “Well, we’re lucky we didn’t lose the car, -or at least damage it. The rain has almost stopped, too.” - -In their wet clothes and shoes the Scouts were rather uncomfortable. At -the first filling station, thirty miles farther on, they stopped, -unpacked the luggage, and changed into dry clothing. - -Walz fretted at the delay. - -“It will be after dark before we get to Elks Creek,” he complained. - -“Sorry,” Jack replied shortly. “Sometimes the shortest road is the -longest way to a destination.” - -“Real philosophical, aren’t you?” Walz asked, his lips curling. - -To Jack, it was plain that the motel owner found it hard to hold his -temper in check. Obviously he had no liking for the Scouts or Mr. -Livingston and tolerated their company only to gain his objective. As -for the Explorers, they now had even less respect for Walz than they had -had before. His judgment, they thought, had been proven faulty. He was -sullen, selfish, and, in addition, he had a cowardly streak. - -After the rain, night came on fast. The Scouts would have preferred to -camp, but Walz kept insisting that they push on to Elks Creek. Actually, -it was 9:25 P.M. when the car finally pulled into that little -mountainside hamlet. There was no suitable camp site, and for once the -wearied Scouts had no enthusiasm about finding one. - -Mr. Livingston suggested that they all spend the night at the town’s -only hotel, an unimposing wooden structure. - -“At my expense, naturally,” Mr. Walz said sarcastically. - -The Scout leader shot him a quizzical look. “It was your proposition—” - -“Yes, it was! Well, I’m not kicking. Not if you keep your end of the -bargain. If we fail to find Craig Warner, you turn the map over to me.” - -“Yes, if we’re convinced he can’t possibly be found.” - -“It’s too late tonight to try to find Red Cliffs Ranch,” Walz went on. -“We’ll register at this dump of a hotel. While you’re getting some -supper, I’ll make a few inquiries.” - -The Scouts took rooms, cleaned themselves up a bit, and joined Mr. -Livingston in the dining room. A silent, shy waitress served them an -excellent meal consisting of steak, potatoes, and fresh peas. For -dessert came large cuts of juicy apple pie with big wedges of cheese. - -“Say, this is real food!” Willie said with relish. “A mighty welcome -change from that eternal stew Jack is always feeding us.” - -“Just for that, you’ll get beans next time!” Jack retorted -good-naturedly. “Such gratitude!” - -“The best part of this meal is that it’s free,” War chortled. - -“I hope so,” responded Mr. Livingston as he signed the check with Walz’ -name. “But sometimes things don’t work out as we expect.” - -“Meaning Walz is likely to welch on the deal?” - -“Not if he gets what he wants, War.” - -“And if he doesn’t?” - -“Well, in that case, we may see fireworks. I have a hunch—” - -Mr. Livingston left his remark unfinished, for Jack flashed him a -warning glance. Jarrett Walz had just come into the dining room. -Crossing over to the Scouts’ table, he sat down. - -“Well, friends,” he began, “I’ve made a few inquiries. The outcome is -just about what I expected.” - -“Craig Warner doesn’t live here?” Ken asked quickly. - -“He did live here years ago. Then he moved north. Three years ago, he -died of pneumonia.” - -“Craig Warner’s dead?” War echoed flatly. - -“Yes. It’s disappointing but, frankly, I expected it.” - -“You expected it?” Jack asked. - -“I mean, it’s no more than I expected. Stony probably hadn’t written to -Warner in six or eight years.” - -“It seems our trip here is without purpose,” Mr. Livingston observed, -looking down at his plate. “I admit I am disappointed.” - -“I’ll be starting back to Rocking Horse early tomorrow morning,” Walz -said briskly. “I can catch a train at nine o’clock. You boys will -probably want to get an early start east, so the best thing would be to -give it to me now.” - -“The map?” Mr. Livingston asked. - -“Naturally. That was the agreement.” - -“Why are you sure Craig Warner is dead?” the Scout leader demanded. - -“A dozen people told me so.” - -“Can you give me their names?” - -“You doubt my word?” - -“No, but in a matter such as this, we can’t afford to make a mistake.” - -“I don’t recall to whom I talked,” Walz said with a scowl. “But the dope -was straight. Warner is dead. I’ve kept my agreement. Now I want that -map.” - -“See us in the morning at breakfast,” Mr. Livingston said suavely. - -“I told you I have to take an early train.” - -“We’ll be up before seven o’clock,” Mr. Livingston promised him. “Meet -us here at seven thirty. Okay?” - -Walz started to argue, then suddenly changed his mind. - -“All right,” he agreed. “Breakfast at seven thirty. Get a good sleep. -You still have a long ride before you.” - -In leaving the dining room, the Scouts casually inquired of the hotel -owner if he knew anyone by the name of Craig Warner. - -“Never heard of him,” he replied. - -Once the Scouts were in Mr. Livingston’s room, they discussed turning -the map over to the motel owner. - -“I may have to do it in the morning,” Mr. Livingston said reluctantly, -“but, somehow, his information doesn’t satisfy me.” - -“Why not do a little checking of our own?” Jack proposed. - -The idea appealed to the others. It was decided, though, that Walz might -become resentful if he saw the entire crew leaving the hotel. So Jack -and Ken were assigned to tour the town to see what they could learn. - -The two were away from the hotel more than an hour. When finally they -returned, they fairly burst into the Scout leader’s room where the -others had gathered. - -“What did you find out?” War demanded, getting up from the bed where he -had been sprawling. - -“Plenty!” Jack announced. - -“We talked to three people,” Ken said. “The first two had never heard of -Craig Warner. Then we ran into an old-timer, a rancher who has lived in -this country most of his life.” - -“What did he say?” Willie asked impatiently. - -“Craig Warner is very much alive,” Jack announced. “In fact, he lives -less than forty miles from here—not at Red Cliffs Ranch, though. Another -place.” - -“Then Walz lied!” - -“Ken and I think so,” Jack said soberly. “He’s made up his mind to get -that map at any cost. And it’s up to us to prevent him!” - - - - - Chapter 11 - CLOUD CREST RANCH - - -Jarrett Walz was waiting in the hotel dining room when the Explorers -entered promptly at seven thirty the next morning. - -“Well, right on time, I see,” he greeted them jovially. “You brought the -map?” - -Mr. Livingston did not reply. He and the Scouts seated themselves at the -circular, old-fashioned table and ordered breakfast. The motel owner -could not conceal his impatience. - -“You brought the map?” he repeated as soon as the waitress went away. - -“As for turning it over to you,” Mr. Livingston replied, “we have a -different plan.” - -Walz’ bushy eyebrows jerked up in surprise. “What d’you mean, a -different plan?” he growled. - -“Craig Warner happens to be alive.” - -“What?” - -“We checked your information last night, Mr. Walz. I’m afraid you -obtained it from unreliable sources.” - -A flush slowly overspread the motel owner’s face. - -“Craig Warner isn’t dead?” he stammered. - -“No. He is operating a ranch less than forty miles from here.” - -“A place called Cloud Crest,” supplied Jack, enjoying Walz’ -discomfiture. - -“I—I’m mighty glad to hear it,” the motel owner muttered. - -“We’ve made further inquiry,” Mr. Livingston resumed. “Cloud Crest is -off the main road in a rather inaccessible place. In dry weather, -however, it can be reached by car. Fortunately, yesterday’s downpour -missed this area.” - -“Warner hasn’t been to town in a month,” Ken added. “That’s why he never -replied to our telegram. It’s waiting here, if he ever shows up.” - -Walz sat for a long moment, staring at the tablecloth. The waitress -brought pancakes and hot sausages, but he scarcely touched his food. The -Scouts, on the other hand, ate heartily. - -When they had finished, Walz said, “You’ll be starting on East now, I -suppose?” - -“Not until we’ve delivered the map,” the Scout leader answered. - -“It will be at least eighty miles out of your way, counting the return -trip,” the motel owner pointed out. “You’ll have to figure on killing an -entire day.” - -“I suppose so,” Mr. Livingston admitted. - -“I’ll tell you what! I can save you that trip. Let me have the map, and -I’ll see that Craig Warner gets it.” - -Mr. Livingston shook his head. “We’d prefer to deliver it ourselves.” - -“You don’t trust me?” - -“We made Old Stony a promise, that’s all.” - -“You’ve become very devoted to his memory, haven’t you?” Walz asked with -a slight sneer. “You think I deceived you?” - -“Did we make any such accusation?” - -“Oh, I can tell by the way you act! I’ve paid your expenses. I’ve been -open and above board in all my dealings. You’ve done nothing in return.” - -“We’ve kept our agreement, Mr. Walz.” - -“At least let me see that map.” - -“We’re turning it over to Mr. Warner,” the Scout leader said patiently. -“After he gets it, if he wants to he can show it to you or do whatever -he pleases. Until then—no.” - -Walz suddenly got to his feet, pushing back his chair. - -“Okay,” he rasped. “I’m through paying your bills. Settle your own hotel -account. I’m finished with you!” - -He strode from the dining room. - -“Good riddance,” grinned Willie. “We never should have teamed up with -him. Wonder how much we owe here?” - -“Enough,” Mr. Livingston said, a bit grimly. “We can handle it, though. -I half figured on a deal such as this.” - -Hurriedly, the Scouts finished breakfast and gathered together their -belongings. Jack obtained detailed instructions for reaching Cloud Crest -Ranch. Mr. Livingston settled the hotel bill, which was not so high as -he had expected, and they drove out of Elks Creek without seeing Walz -again. - -“We’re finished with him,” War said cheerfully, settling down for a long -ride over a rutty road. “What did you learn about Warner, Jack?” - -“Not much. They say he’s an able rancher but has had a run of hard -luck.” - -“The fellow we talked to said he’s a square shooter,” Ken contributed. -“Peculiar, though—the lone-wolf type. His exact words were: ‘If Warner -likes you, he’ll give you the shirt off his back. If he doesn’t, watch -out! He judges a man fast, and once an opinion is formed, he doesn’t -change his mind.’” - -“Let’s hope he takes a liking to us,” Mr. Livingston remarked. “Not that -it matters. We’ll give him the map and be on our way.” - -The car made slow time on the winding dirt road. However, the way was -scenic, if dusty. Rugged, snow-tipped mountains rimmed the valley. Their -high peaks were circled with lazy, fleecy clouds. - -The hot sun was high overhead when the car wound along a stream of -fast-running water and emerged into a clearing. - -A short distance ahead the Scouts saw a long log cabin, a barn, and a -fenced area. - -“Cloud Crest Ranch,” Jack read on the gatepost. - -He jumped out to unbar the gate so that the car could pass through. -Carefully, he closed it again before they drove on to the ranch house. - -The car’s approach was evidently noted from the building for, as the -Scouts alighted in front of the ranch building, a man who was nearly six -feet tall, lean and muscular, came out the door. - -At first glance they took him to be in his thirties, but as he came -closer they saw the shock of gray hair and the lines on his face which -made him seem to be in his fifties. - -“Howdy.” - -The rancher was soft spoken, and he looked straight at the Scouts as he -greeted them. He wore a red shirt and brown riding breeches. - -“Craig Warner?” Mr. Livingston inquired. - -“I am.” - -Mr. Livingston gave his name and introduced the Explorers. Since the -rancher did not invite them into the house, Mr. Livingston decided to -make the visit brief. - -Going straight to the point, he told Mr. Warner of Old Stony’s death and -his request that the map to the Headless Hollow region be delivered to -him. - -“Well!” Warner exclaimed. “You know, I never could figure out why that -old fellow kept writing to me!” - -“You never knew that he was your father’s partner?” Mr. Livingston -asked. - -“No. I was just a kid when my father went off into the mountains -prospecting, and he never came back.” - -“Stony didn’t tell you his connection with your father?” - -The rancher shook his head. “No. I answered only one of his letters, I -think. I couldn’t see any sense in writing a stranger, so I let the -correspondence lapse. Stony, as you call him, never mentioned my father, -except to say he had known him. But he did let on he owed me a great -debt. I never could figure that out.” - -“He sent you a map,” Mr. Livingston said. “A chart to an area where he -claims there is a cache of gold. He called it Headless Hollow.” - -“Have you heard of it?” Jack asked, noticing the startled expression of -the rancher’s face. - -“Well, yes. Not by that name. But it must be the same isolated valley -where my father lost his life—and the same area where Joe Hansart -disappeared.” - -“Another prospector?” Ken inquired. - -“Joe disappeared six or seven years ago. He set off into the canyons and -never came back. It’s a bad locality.” - -Warner seemed suddenly to remember his manners. - -“Come into the house,” he invited them. “We’ll have a spot of coffee and -give that map the once-over.” - - - - - Chapter 12 - AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR - - -“See that jagged peak with the patch of snow almost at its tip? Right -below is stunted timber land. Well, that’s Crazy Mountain. I figure -Headless Hollow is somewhere in there behind those tumbles of rock.” - -Craig Warner stood at the cabin window, pointing toward the distant -horizon. Over mugs of strong, steaming coffee, the Scouts had studied -Old Stony’s map with their rancher host. Somewhat to their surprise, -Warner had seemed impressed by the crudely drawn paper as he compared it -with a contour map of the mountain area. - -“Y’ know,” he confessed, his grin boyish, “I’ve always had a hankering -to find out what’s behind those barriers. Here I’ve lived fairly close -to the place for years, and I never attempted it.” - -“Well, you have a map now,” Mr. Livingston said. “A motive, shall we -say? So perhaps you’ll decide to search for your fortune.” - -The rancher laughed and shook his head. “I know better than to place -faith in tales of hidden gold. The last great strike in this state was -at Cripple Creek, just behind Pikes Peak. That district had been passed -up for years because prospectors said it lacked the usual signs.” - -“Headless Hollow may be the same,” Jack said. - -“Afraid not.” Warner placed the map in a drawer of the living-room desk. -“But the area might offer uranium possibilities.” - -“Has no one ever been there?” Ken asked. “Recently, I mean?” - -“Folks hereabouts are too busy to risk their necks on crazy climbs. -Besides, as I told you, the area has a bad reputation.” - -“You said something about a prospector disappearing there,” Warwick -reminded him. - -“That was Joe Hansart. He was a strange character—one of the real -old-timers—always asking folks to grubstake him. He’d disappear for -months at a time. Always broke when he showed up again. Well, he became -obsessed with the idea there was gold somewhere on Crazy Mountain. About -seven years ago, I think it was, he packed out of here, heading that -way, and was never seen again.” - -“Maybe he fell off a cliff,” Ken observed. - -“The Headless Hollow locality has plenty of hazards. Something happened -to him, that’s sure.” - -“Could he have stayed on there alone year after year?” Jack asked -thoughtfully. - -“I don’t see how, but there’s a small lake where a man could fish, and -if he had ammunition he could provide himself with meat. But the winters -are bitterly cold. No, I don’t figure even a tough old knot like Joe -Hansart could have made out. He must be dead. The question is, how did -he die?” - -“That seems to trouble you,” Mr. Livingston said. “Friend of yours?” - -“Never set eyes on Joe except once or twice. It’s the stories about -Headless Hollow that bother me.” - -“Stories?” - -“It began years ago,” the rancher said, lighting his pipe. “I suppose my -father’s death and Stony’s disappearance marked the beginning.” - -“Was it known they were supposed to have struck gold?” - -“Well, you can’t keep such things completely dark,” Warner replied with -a smile. “I was a boy at the time, so all I know is hearsay. At first, -feeling was high against Stony, because people thought he was -responsible for my father’s death. My mother never shared that feeling. -She always said the man was falsely accused—that it must have been an -accident. But you know how folks are—they always want to blame someone. -Stony could have cleared himself, but he ran away, and that made it look -bad.” - -“You think Stony shot your father by accident?” Ken questioned. - -“Either that, or it was an Indian bullet, as Stony claimed.” - -“Do Indians live in the hollow?” - -“No. The area is uninhabited, as far as I know. Folks deliberately avoid -that section of the mountain. Prospectors who have tried to go there in -recent years—well, they just seem to have bad luck.” - -“You’re referring to Joe Hansart’s disappearance?” Mr. Livingston -remarked. - -“There have been other things, too,” the rancher admitted reluctantly. -“A couple of ambitious young rock climbers thought they would tackle -Crazy Mountain two years ago. One of ’em had a bad fall.” - -“That could happen to anyone.” - -“True. But this kid claimed someone above him started an avalanche. No -one hereabouts put any stock in it—but it did serve to stir up rumors -again.” - -“Rumors?” - -“Oh, I’m not superstitious, and I know you folks aren’t, either. The -tale is that the Spirit of Crazy Mountain guards the place.” - -“Folks who go there always have trouble?” Jack asked, grinning. - -“Yeah. As I said, it’s a wild area—no place for amateur climbers.” - -“Odd you’ve never gone there yourself,” Mr. Livingston said, eying the -rancher thoughtfully. - -“I’ve often wanted to,” Warner confessed, “especially when I was younger -and my legs were in better condition.” - -“You seem in pretty fair shape to me right now,” the Scout leader -replied. - -“Oh, I try to keep fit.” Warner abruptly got up and walked to the window -again. Staring toward the faraway mountains, he said: “I’d have tried to -find that valley years ago, but I never had the time. Now—” - -“Yes?” Mr. Livingston prodded as the rancher fell into meditative -silence. - -“Well, it’s no climb to tackle alone. Frankly, there’s no one hereabouts -that I could take with me. Plenty would be eager to go, but they’d be a -hindrance, not a help.” - -“We know someone who would be tickled to go,” War cut in with a chuckle. - -“Oh?” - -“You won’t want to meet him, either,” War laughed. - -He then mentioned Jarrett Walz’ name and told to what lengths the motel -owner had gone to gain possession of the treasure map. - -“You don’t say!” Warner exclaimed, impressed. “If he’s so keen on -getting his hands on this map, then it must have some value.” - -“He thinks so,” said Mr. Livingston. “I would advise you to keep that -bit of paper in a safe place.” - -“Oh, no one ever comes here. Not once in a month,” the rancher answered. -“You’re my first visitors since June. It’s a real pleasure having you.” - -Warner, the Scouts now knew, lived alone, except for two ranch hands who -looked after the stock. He had no wife or children. - -After chatting a while longer, the Scouts started to leave, but their -host would not hear of it. - -“Stay until tomorrow morning at least,” he urged. “I like company, if -it’s the right sort.” - -The Scouts had enjoyed Craig Warner’s companionship, and his invitation -flattered them. When Mr. Livingston left the decision to them, they -voted to remain. - -Warner cooked a hearty lunch for the boys and showed them around Cloud -Crest. Whenever he was out of doors, they noticed, his steel blue eyes -roved naturally to the distant peaks of Crazy Mountain. - -“Y’ know,” he admitted with a self-conscious laugh, “that map has fired -my imagination! Not in years have I felt so excited!” - -“Gold fever?” Hap Livingston asked with a chuckle. - -“No,” the rancher answered soberly. “It’s more than that. I’ve never -seen my father’s grave. The tale of gold interests me, but only -incidentally. I want to see this place you call Headless Hollow, because -its mystery lures me.” - -“A trip such as that would require careful planning,” Mr. Livingston -observed. - -“It would. That’s why so many who started for the region met disaster. -Their expeditions were badly organized.” - -Again Craig Warner became lost in thought. The Scouts sensed that he was -seriously considering making practical use of the map they had turned -over to him. - -“Y’ know, except for one thing, I’d start for Headless Hollow at the -drop of a hat,” the rancher suddenly announced, leaning on the rail -fence. “I could get away from here for a week—” - -“What’s that one thing holding you up?” Jack asked curiously, though he -thought he could guess the answer. - -“I know better than to go alone.” - -“Maybe you won’t have to,” Jack drawled. - -For a minute, the other Scouts were mystified by his remark. Then, -following his gaze, they saw that a car was coming up the winding dirt -road toward the ranch. It was a rented taxi. - -A lone male passenger sat beside the driver. By this time, the car was -close enough for the Scouts to make out the general outline of the man’s -face. - -The visitor was Jarrett Walz. - - - - - Chapter 13 - THIEF IN THE NIGHT - - -The rented car rolled up the lane and halted near the fence where Craig -Warner and the Scouts waited. - -Paying off the driver, Jarrett Walz strode over to the group. He showed -no surprise at seeing Mr. Livingston and the Explorers, nor did he make -any apology for having followed them to the Cloud Crest Ranch. In fact, -he deliberately ignored the Scouts, addressing Craig Warner. - -“You don’t know me,” he said, offering his hand, “but I’m Jarrett Walz -from Rocking Horse. An old friend of Stony’s.” - -“Howdy,” the rancher responded. His manner was neither friendly nor -unfriendly. - -The motel owner then launched into a glorified account of the manner in -which he had befriended Old Stony. Mr. Livingston and the Scouts let him -run on without interruption. - -Finally, Walz wound up his long-winded monologue by asking Warner if the -Explorers had turned over the Headless Hollow map to him. - -“I have it,” the rancher replied. - -“I drove out here to make you a proposition,” Walz rattled on. “How -about you and me teaming up for a bit of adventure?” - -“You’re proposing we explore the Headless Hollow region?” said Warner. - -“Why not? It’s a good time of year—everything’s in our favor. Since you -have the map we may find a valuable mine site—or at least a cache of -ore.” - -“I don’t team up with a man on an hour’s notice.” - -“I realize I’m a stranger,” Walz said, “but if you doubt my character, -send a wire to anyone in Rocking Horse.” - -“I don’t need testimonials to judge a man,” Warner replied dryly. - -“How does the proposal strike you? The quicker we get started, the -better I’d like it.” - -Warner did not answer the motel owner’s question directly. Instead, he -said, “No one has any business on Crazy Mountain without a good pair of -legs. A trip such as you’re proposing would take a heap o’ planning. -You’d need supplies—a list made out with care, because every pound you -pack counts. Footwear’s important, too.” - -“Oh, mere details. I can buy anything I need in an hour’s time. The -essential thing is to have a guide who knows the country.” - -“You’ll not find anyone hereabouts that has ever been to the Headless -Hollow region.” - -“You mean the place has never been explored?” Walz demanded. - -“Men have gone there,” Warner drawled, “but they don’t seem to come -back.” - -The remark jarred Walz for a moment. “You’re trying to scare me out of -it!” he accused. - -“No,” the rancher answered quietly. “Just giving you the facts. I reckon -a good mountain climber who’s willing to take punishment could reach the -place, but he’d have to face hazards.” - -“Bears? Cougars?” - -“Animals shouldn’t give any trouble if a man minds his business.” - -“Then what is holding us back?” Walz demanded impatiently. “Are you -afraid of the climb?” - -“It may be tricky finding a pass down into the valley.” - -“They told me in town you’re one of the best mountaineers in this -section—you and Pete Ranier, the half-breed Indian.” - -“Why don’t you talk to Pete?” Warner suggested. “He might be induced to -take you to the Headless region—for a price.” - -“But he doesn’t have the map,” Walz growled. “That’s why I don’t want to -team up with him. Besides, he’s a heavy drinker, they tell me—reliable -only when he’s sober.” - -“You’re welcome to stay here tonight,” Warner said. “We’ll talk some -more. Maybe we can get together.” - -“Fine!” the motel owner responded heartily. “I thought you’d see it my -way. You team up with me, and I’ll pay all the expenses. If we hit it -lucky, we’ll split any way you want.” - -The Scouts remained out of doors while Warner showed Walz to a room. - -“I wonder if this isn’t our cue to pull out of here?” Mr. Livingston -remarked. “It’s not going to be pleasant, now that Walz has come.” - -“He’ll only try to make us look bad,” Jack agreed. - -When Craig Warner came outside alone, the Scouts mentioned leaving, but -he would not hear of it. - -“I couldn’t turn Walz away,” he said. “As for teaming up with him, I’m -not even considering it. Stick around, boys. Things may get -interesting.” - -Whenever the rancher was near, Walz deliberately avoided the Scouts. -Late in the afternoon, however, he ran into Jack and Ken near the -corrals. They would have passed him without a word, if he had not -blocked their way. - -“You’ve been telling Warner things about me that aren’t true!” he -declared. - -Ken and Jack were amused by the accusation. It did not seem deserving of -a reply. - -“Get this!” Walz snapped. “I want that map, and I mean to get it! I’m -warning you not to interfere! If you do—” - -“If we do—what?” - -“You’ll find out!” Walz blustered. “I’m fed up with your meddling. Take -my advice and drive on!” - -“We like the scenery,” Jack retorted, “so we’re staying.” - -After the early chores were done, Warner told his visitors he would take -them over to see Tarta Lake. - -“It’s only a little hike,” he said. “Figured we could tote our grub up -there and cook supper under the stars.” - -The Explorers fell in with the plan at once. Walz seemed annoyed, but he -kept his thoughts to himself. - -They set off single file up a gentle slope, Warner leading the way. He -had an easy, fast, smooth stride, which the Scouts deliberately -imitated. Walz kept up at first, then fell to the end of the line. When -the climb became more difficult—rocky and steep—Walz sat down to empty -gravel from his shoes. - -“How much farther?” he puffed. - -“Not more than a mile,” the rancher replied. - -The Scouts were all in good condition, and therefore the sharp climb was -no test for their sturdy, muscular legs. Even War, who tired more easily -than his older crew mates, found his breath holding. - -At Tarta Lake Walz collapsed on the grass. He rested while Warner and -the Scouts built a fire and set steaks to broiling. - -The mountains had brought peace and relaxation to the Explorers. Even -their irritation at Walz faded away as they gathered about the glowing -log for an hour of rest and talk. - -Warner, usually quiet, related a variety of stories about the area. -Purposely, however, he avoided mention of Headless Hollow. - -“It’s queer about mountains,” he said, watching sparks fly up from the -fire. “They have a way of showing a man for what he is.” - -Walz eyed him suspiciously but made no comment. - -Soon it was time to start back to the ranch. Warner made certain every -spark of the fire was out, and they began the long trek. Obviously very -tired, Walz dragged at the end of the line. Warner slowed his pace, but -even so the motel owner could not keep up. Once he stumbled against a -tree and gave it a savage kick. - -Finally, when they were at the ranch once more, the motel owner -collapsed on the davenport with a little moan. - -“I’m a mite out of condition,” he admitted. “A couple of days on the -trail, and my muscles will be okay again. Most of my trouble today came -from having the wrong kind of shoes.” - -“A mountain can give a fellow quite a beating,” was Warner’s only -comment. - -After an hour of rest, Walz regained his strength. With reviving zest -for the Headless Hollow adventure, he began to press Warner for a -decision. - -The rancher regarded him in surprise. “Haven’t the mountains given you -your answer?” - -“That jaunt we took was no fair test! Once I get better equipment—” - -“Headless Valley is no place for an amateur,” Warner told him. “If -you’re dead set on going there, Pete Ranier might take you. I doubt it, -though. You’d be asking for trouble.” - -“At least show me the map.” - -The rancher hesitated. Then, apparently deciding his guest could make no -practical use of it, he unlocked the paper from the desk drawer. -Eagerly, Walz pored over it, his dark eyes sparkling. - -“Let me make a copy of this!” he demanded. - -Warner had begun to regret even showing the paper to the motel owner. - -“Sorry,” he replied. - -Taking the map from Walz, he relocked it in the desk. - -“Walz,” the rancher said, eying him steadily, “you don’t seem to -understand what I’ve told you about the Headless Hollow region. It’s a -dangerous spot for any man, even if he’s at home in the mountains. You’d -be a fool to attempt it, even with a guide.” - -“Who says I’m going to?” Walz retorted. - -With a shrug, he bade the group goodnight and went to the room assigned -to him. - -The Scouts soon retired, for the long hike and the fresh mountain air -had made everyone very tired. They slept soundly, hearing nothing until -Mr. Livingston pounded on their bedroom doors the next morning. - -Ken and Jack were the first to get dressed and down to the kitchen. -Warner was there ahead of them, frying bacon and expertly tossing -flapjacks. - -“Morning,” he greeted the pair cheerfully. “Sleep well?” - -“Like logs,” Jack answered. “How’s Walz this morning? Still worn out?” - -“I wouldn’t know,” the rancher drawled. “Our friend is no longer with -us.” - -“He left during the night?” Jack asked in astonishment. - -“Reckon so. Brace yourselves, boys. Your car is gone.” - -As the Scouts accepted this news in stunned silence, Warner added: -“That’s not all. Our impulsive friend likewise has stolen the map!” - - - - - Chapter 14 - GHOST TOWN - - -“The car gone?” Jack echoed the rancher’s words. “And the map too?” - -“When did it happen?” Ken asked. - -Craig Warner flipped another pancake, adding it to the stack he had -baked. - -“Don’t know. Some time during the night. I discovered the desk broken -into when I came downstairs about twenty minutes ago.” - -“If our car’s gone, we’re stranded,” Jack said slowly. - -“I’ve already telephoned the sheriff. Don’t let it upset you. I figure -Warner probably won’t go far. He has only one objective.” - -“Headless Hollow,” Jack suggested. - -“And he can’t drive the car up Crazy Mountain,” the rancher added dryly. -“We’ll catch up with him. After breakfast, I’ll drive you to Elks -Creek.” - -Warner’s casual view of the situation only partly reassured the Scouts. -Jack and Ken went at once to impart the bad news to the others. - -“So Walz really is a crook!” Warwick burst out angrily. - -It was impossible to determine how long Walz had been away from the -ranch. However, Willie recalled that an hour or two before dawn he had -heard an automobile motor. - -“I was so sleepy I didn’t pay much attention!” he reproved himself. -“Chump!” - -The Explorers tried not to talk too much about the loss of their car, -but of course it worried them. They were hundreds of miles from Belton -City, and their money had run low. They knew they could wire their -parents for more, but they had no intention of doing so except in an -absolute emergency. - -As they ate breakfast, Craig Warner seemed in as good spirits as ever. -The loss of the map didn’t appear to disturb him. - -“I can draw it myself from memory,” he said. “That paper won’t be nearly -the help to Walz he thinks it will.” - -“Your guess is he’ll head straight for the mountain?” Mr. Livingston -asked. - -The rancher nodded as he refilled the coffee cups. “He’ll tackle it if -he can get anyone to go with him. Pete Ranier might be crazy enough to -do it—for a price.” - -“Is he a reliable guide?” - -“One of the best, when he’s sober—and that isn’t often. But he has a -fiery temper. He and our friend Walz would be sure to tangle. Ranier -can’t stand a tenderfoot.” - -The Scouts ate rapidly, impatient to be off in pursuit of Walz. Their -host, on the other hand, was deliberate. Certainly he seemed in no hurry -to drive them to town. - -“Practically all our stuff is in that car,” Willie muttered to Jack as -they stood in the yard, waiting for the rancher to start his motor in -the barn. “Doesn’t he give a darn?” - -Warner backed out the car and then went into the house again. When he -returned, he was grinning. - -“Good news, boys!” he told them. “The sheriff’s found your car.” - -“Where?” Jack demanded eagerly. - -“Abandoned at Elks Creek. I figured Warner wouldn’t take it very far.” - -“How about our stuff?” - -“That I don’t know.” - -Though Warner’s car was old, it was durable. The Explorers all piled in, -and the drive to Elks Creek was made in fast time. They found Mr. -Livingston’s sedan on a side street near a gas station. One of the tires -was flat, but otherwise the car seemed not to have been damaged. - -Quickly the Scouts checked their luggage. A sleeping bag was missing, as -well as one of the pup tents and a set of nested pans. - -“At least Walz took only what he figured he’d need,” Ken said in -disgust. - -Inquiry established that Walz had been seen going to Ranier’s shack -shortly after dawn. - -Apparently the two had come to an agreement, for they had bought -supplies and started off in the guide’s old car. - -“They’re heading for Crazy Mountain,” Warner decided. “Ranier should -have better sense than to start off with a fellow like Walz. He probably -figures Walz will buckle up after a day on the trail and call the deal -off.” - -“He might be stubborn enough to keep on and get into real trouble,” Mr. -Livingston said soberly. “He has the gold fever pretty bad.” - -“I’m getting it myself,” the rancher confessed with a chuckle. “Maybe -I’ll sling together an outfit and pack after him. I’d like to get that -map back.” - -“Would you head for Headless Hollow alone?” the Scout leader asked in -surprise. - -“Not if I can get you and your boys to come along.” - -The Scouts regarded the rancher in surprise. - -“It will be no trick to pick up Walz’ trail,” he said. “With luck we can -overtake him by tomorrow. When we do, we’ll teach our friend a little -lesson in manners.” - -An expedition, even a short distance into the mountains, was not to be -undertaken lightly, and Mr. Livingston had no great enthusiasm for the -venture. Nevertheless, he agreed with the Scouts that Walz ought to be -brought to justice and forced to pay for the articles he had stolen. - -“Besides,” War urged eagerly, “don’t we owe it to Stony to see that Walz -never gets his hands on any gold?” - -“I can see you’re all for the trip,” Mr. Livingston said. “But isn’t -this a job for the sheriff?” - -“It is,” Warner agreed, “but getting the sheriff to tackle Crazy -Mountain is another proposition. He’ll never do it.” - -The whole matter was debated thoroughly, and in the end the Scout leader -was persuaded by the Explorers to give his consent. - -“Just what will develop if we do overtake Walz worries me,” Mr. -Livingston admitted. “We can’t take the law into our own hands.” - -“Leave that part to me,” Warner said grimly. “I know how to handle men -of his stripe. We’ll bring him back and turn him over to the -authorities. Sheriff Brown will deputize me.” - -It was believed that Walz and his guide could be overtaken speedily but, -to prepare for any possible emergency, the group decided to pack enough -supplies for several days on the trail. - -“Walz will never reach the Headless Hollow Valley,” the rancher -predicted confidently. “Alone, Ranier might do it. But if I know him, -he’s in this expedition only for a bit of quick cash.” - -Despite the need for haste, Craig Warner and Mr. Livingston were very -thorough in their planning. Warner bought the supplies, including a vial -of saccharin for sugar because of its lightness, some powdered milk, -flour mix, oatmeal, dried fruit, salt, tea, and coffee. He also added a -first-aid kit, a fishing rod, and a revolver borrowed from a friend when -Sheriff Brown made him a deputy. - -One of Warner’s ranch hands drove the party to Buckhorn and on to the -beginning of the mountain road. There the six climbers shouldered heavy -packs and trudged upward, at first following a marked trail. After a -while, the trail played out, and the going became harder. - -Making only brief stops for rest, they climbed steadily, through ravines -and steep-walled canyons. At intervals, Warner raked the distant rock -shelves with his field glass, but he failed to sight the two men he -believed to have gone on ahead. - -The day was cloudless, and a warm sun blazed down. Laboring under the -heavy packs, the Scouts perspired profusely. Their leg muscles, tough as -they were, began to ache. No one, however, made complaint or suggested a -slower pace. When they paused to drink at a spring and refill canteens, -Warner consulted the rough map he had redrawn from memory and compared -it with an accurate contour map. - -“It’s only fair to warn you,” he said, “the climb so far is only a tiny -taste of what’s ahead.” - -With a pencil, he made a dotted line, showing their projected route over -the top of the mountain and down to an isolated valley. Then the line -went up again into the higher, desolate peaks of Crazy Mountain. - -“Our problem—if we follow Walz that far,” the rancher said, frowning -thoughtfully, “is to find a pass through to the Headless Hollow region. -It may not be easy. So if anyone wants to turn back, now’s the time to -say so.” - -One and all, the Scouts shook their heads. - -“Okay,” Warner said, well pleased. “Then let’s hit the trail. No time is -to be lost if we’re going to overtake Walz.” - -For hours, the party trudged on. They passed the water line into an area -where the trees were twisted into grotesque shapes before they thinned -out to only occasional trunks. Higher up, timber disappeared entirely. -The air became light and chilly. - -War and Willie were hard pressed to keep up with the others. Despite -their fatigue, Warner had to keep on, for it was growing late and the -area offered no suitable camp site. - -On the other slope of the mountain the descent was easier, but by the -time the rancher finally called a halt on a rock shelf above a racing -stream, everyone was worn out. - -“How do you figure Walz has managed to come this far?” Willie muttered, -dropping his pack. “I never thought he had it in him.” - -“Maybe we’ve lost him,” Jack replied. “We’ve not seen a trace of him or -his guide since we left Elks Creek this morning.” - -While the others busied themselves making camp, Jack and Warner scanned -the ravines and mountainside with the powerful field glass. - -“See any smoke?” the rancher asked. - -Jack lowered the glass. “No trace of a camp. But I thought you said this -was uninhabited country.” - -“It is.” - -“Not quite. A town is hidden down there on the slope. I can see -buildings.” - -The rancher smiled broadly. “Any people?” - -Again Jack studied the distant cluster of buildings through the glass. -“That’s funny,” he acknowledged. “The place looks lifeless. Dead.” - -“You’re looking at a ghost town, Jack. No one has lived there for thirty -years.” - -“No one?” - -“That’s right. The town flourished in the old gold days—then was -deserted. It’s cut off from roads and railroads. All supplies had to be -packed in. So when the gold bubble blew up, miners pulled out.” - -“Well, the town has an occupant now,” Jack announced, a trace of -excitement in his voice. - -“Walz?” the rancher demanded eagerly. - -Jack shook his head, offering the glass to Warner. - -“Not Walz. His guide, perhaps. I saw a fellow with long white hair and a -beard. I caught a glimpse of him before he went into one of the -buildings.” - -Warner gazed oddly at Jack as he began to adjust the powerful glass. - -“Ranier,” he drawled, “doesn’t have a beard, or white hair either.” - - - - - Chapter 15 - WARM ASHES - - -For some minutes, Craig Warner studied the ghost town below the Scout -camp. - -“I don’t see anyone,” he told Jack. “Sure you saw a man?” - -“I’m certain.” - -“And he had a white beard?” - -“Well, I thought so,” Jack replied. “It’s getting dark, though. I -suppose I could have been mistaken.” - -“It may have been Walz,” the rancher decided, lowering the field glass. - -That night, there was little talk over the camp fire. The Scouts were -tired, especially Warwick and Willie, and everyone turned in the minute -the work was done. - -They used fir boughs for beds, but even so the hard rock shelf was so -uncomfortable that Jack slept fitfully. His legs hurt from the long, -hard climb. His back ached, too. No matter how he adjusted himself, the -cold night air seemed to hit him. He could hear Willie and War moaning -and tossing not far away. - -Of the Explorers, only Ken appeared to be getting a sound night’s sleep. - -Jack was up at dawn, ready to help Craig Warner build the fire and start -breakfast. Cups of strong black coffee, oatmeal, and pancakes made -everyone feel better and revived zest for the adventure. - -While the Scouts fixed their packs, Mr. Livingston and the rancher -carefully went over the contour map. - -“We’ll swing down to the old ghost town,” Warner decided. “Then we’ll -have a hard climb to the pass which leads into the Headless Hollow area. -We may not be lucky enough to find a way through.” - -“That’s where Walz has the advantage of us,” Mr. Livingston replied. -“The map he has probably shows the way.” - -Since the Scouts had caught no glimpse of Walz and his guide, they had -begun to wonder if they were following a phantom trail. - -“I’d like to catch up with Walz,” the rancher said. “I sure would. But -if we miss him, it may save us a lot of trouble.” - -“In any case, you’ll push on to the Hollow?” Ken asked hopefully. - -“I want to. Since we’ve come this far, we may as well have a look at -that valley. This may be our only chance.” - -The decision pleased the Scouts. Tired though they were, the hard climb -was a challenge. Besides, they felt they never would be satisfied until -they learned whether or not Old Stony’s tale of the valley was true. - -With the distant ghost town as the immediate objective, the party soon -started the sharp descent. - -“Keep close together, boys,” Warner warned. “We don’t want to start any -rock slides.” - -The footing was slippery. Twice War, who had not balanced his horseshoe -pack well that morning, stumbled and would have fallen if Jack had not -seized his arm. - -“Careful,” the rancher warned again. “A broken leg or even a sprained -ankle could be a serious matter, now that we’re so far from help.” - -As they continued, Jack saw the rancher glance frequently at the younger -boys. War was a fairly new member of the Explorers and not so well -seasoned as the others to withstand hardships. Jack himself wondered if -War would be able to hold out. - -At noon, the party stopped briefly by a stream, to drink and refill -canteens. While the others rested, Warner whipped the pools with his fly -rod and brought in four handsome trout for the meal. - -The halt refreshed War only for a while. Soon it was apparent that he -was beginning to falter. Warner, who was leading, slowed his pace but, -even so, both War and Willie trailed. - -It was a relief when finally, hours later, the party trudged into the -old ghost town which had been built hard against the shadowy -mountainside. The silence of the place was almost oppressive. - -Dropping his pack, Jack stared at the unpainted wooden buildings which -had fallen into decay. The two that were made of stone and brick were in -somewhat better condition. The row of old, deserted cabins gave him an -eerie, uneasy feeling. He wandered into one of the musty buildings. - -Suddenly he heard Ken call. Stepping outside, he saw his friend in the -doorway of the best-preserved building. - -“Come here,” Ken urged. - -Jack went quickly across the empty, dusty street. - -“This is no ghost town,” Ken said in a low tone. - -“What d’ you mean, Ken?” - -“I’ll show you.” - -Ken led inside to the stone-and-clay fireplace where ashes lay deep on -the hearth. Beside the fireplace was a pile of neatly stacked wood. - -“Feel those ashes,” Ken directed. - -There was no need for Jack to do so for, when he stirred them with the -toe of his boot, they gave off a thread of smoke. - -“Someone’s been here!” Ken announced. “In the last few hours, too.” - -“Then I was right!” - -“What d’you mean, right?” - -“Last night I was sure I saw someone through the field glass.” - -“You didn’t mention it.” - -“I did to Craig Warner. He thought I was mistaken, or that perhaps it -was Walz.” - -“Someone had a fire here in the last few hours,” Ken said reflectively. -“Did you see smoke rising?” - -Jack shook his head. - -“Maybe it was Walz with his guide,” Ken decided, frowning. “Probably -they camped here last night.” - -“It wasn’t Walz,” Jack insisted. “And I don’t think the fellow I saw -through the field glass was his guide, either.” - -“Who else could it be?” - -“Stony’s ghost maybe,” Jack said, chuckling. Then he sobered. “Guess we -should warn the fellows. Someone might be prowling around here even -now.” - -“What you’re suggesting is sort of fantastic,” Ken protested. “This -ghost town is out of the way. Why would anyone except Walz come here?” - -“Maybe word has leaked out about Stony’s cache of gold.” - -“Whoever it is, he’s been here for quite a while, Jack. Not just -overnight.” - -His gaze sharpened by Ken’s remark, Jack made a more minute inspection -of the room. He saw a pile of empty tin cans, a clear indication that -someone had eaten many meals here. Match stubs were scattered on the -floor. The rotted boards, too, had been tracked heavily with mud, that -was now dry. - -Disturbed by their discovery, Ken and Jack went to warn the others. By -this time, however, the Scouts had wandered through every building in -the little town without seeing anyone. - -“If anyone was here, he’s gone now,” Willie remarked, unworried. - -Mr. Warner was inclined to think a prospector searching for uranium -might have chanced that way. He seemed untroubled, so Jack and Ken -decided they probably were making too much of the matter. No more was -said. - -Of far more concern was War’s state of weariness. Though he made no -complaint and stubbornly insisted he felt able to go on, everyone could -see that his strength had been overtaxed. After a quiet talk, Mr. -Livingston and the rancher decided to make camp at the ghost town. - -“You’re stopping because of me,” War protested. “I can make it okay.” - -“We’re all tired,” Warner told him. “From here on, the climb will be -rugged. No use killing ourselves.” - -“I’ll feel fine by morning,” War declared, plainly relieved that the -party would not press on at once. “All I need is a good night’s rest.” - -Preferring to sleep under the stars, the Scouts set their camp in a -sheltered spot at the edge of the empty little village. That night, -around the camp fire Warner told the boys of the old Colorado boom days -when mining towns had flourished. - -“Nearly all of the old camps have shriveled and fallen into decay,” he -said. “Some have become tourist attractions. Not this place, because it -is inaccessible except to a hardy climber.” - -War was the first to turn in for the night, and the others prepared to -follow. Jack stood a moment, staring up at the jagged mountain peaks. -Their way on the morrow lay amid a tumbled mass of rocks and pinnacles, -with ridges running in several directions. Would Warner be able to find -the pass? - -Unnoticed, Mr. Livingston came up behind him. - -“A penny for your thoughts, Jack.” - -“They’re worth less. I was thinking we’re in for a real test tomorrow.” - -“We are,” the Scout leader agreed, “and, frankly, I’m worried about -War.” - -“His condition?” - -“Yes. He has determination and nerve, but he’s not up to a trip as hard -as this one.” - -“What can we do?” - -“Nothing except make it as easy as we can for him. Warner and I will -lighten his pack tomorrow. We can’t cache any of the food, because we’re -likely to run short as it is.” - -On the mountainside the night was bitterly cold. Nevertheless, everyone -slept soundly until dawn. - - - - - Chapter 16 - MISSING SUPPLIES - - -Warner, the first one up, started the fire going and began mixing pan -bread. Jack cut more wood and then went to get supplies from his pack. - -“Hey, who took my stuff?” he demanded loudly. - -The pack was not hanging where he had left it the previous night. While -he searched, Willie let out a yip. - -“Hey, the food I carried is gone too!” he yelled. “All the tea, the -flour, and our raisins!” - -Grimly, Mr. Livingston and the rancher joined in the search. Very -quickly they realized it was a waste of time. - -“Someone sneaked up here during the night and went off with the stuff!” -Jack said angrily. - -The loss of so much food was a serious matter. Carefully, the Scouts -searched every building in the old ghost town. They came upon no one. -However, as they went from cabin to cabin, they experienced a strange, -uneasy feeling. - -“I feel as if someone is watching us,” Jack muttered, expressing the -thoughts of the others. - -Back at camp, Warner rounded up everyone for a conference. - -“Loss of our food is serious,” he said. “We have some left, but not -enough to go on.” - -The Scouts regarded him with sober faces. Until this moment, they had -not realized how much it meant to them to attain their goal—Headless -Hollow. - -“What’s the verdict?” Jack asked, after a long silence. - -“I hate to say this, boys,” the rancher replied. “But we’re up against -it. There’s nothing we can do but turn back.” - -Jack poked at the rocks with a stick, thinking over the rancher’s -decision. He knew it was a wise one. So did all the Scouts. - -“It’s like this,” Warner said. “I’ve made a fast check of our supplies. -If we don’t have any further bad luck, there’s barely enough food to get -us to Headless Valley, with nothing for the return trip.” - -“Fish,” Willie said hopefully. “We could cut our rations.” - -“Afraid it wouldn’t help much. We’ve made slower time than I figured. -Naturally, we’ve consumed more food, and we were short enough even -without this theft.” - -“Who do you figure did it?” Jack speculated. “Not Walz?” - -“I doubt Walz got this far. If he headed for the hollow as we assumed, -he may have gone by a different route.” - -“That fellow I saw through the field glass may have done it,” Jack -pursued. - -“Could be,” Warner agreed. “I thought you were wrong night before last -when you said you saw someone, but it seems I was.” - -“Stealing a man’s food is serious business,” Mr. Livingston remarked. - -“It is,” the rancher agreed. “Why didn’t the fellow—whoever he was—come -forward and ask for what he needed?” - -“Where is he now? That’s what I want to know,” Willie grunted. - -“Probably hiding out somewhere in the rocks and trees,” Warner replied. -“For that matter, if he’s unfriendly, he could take a pot shot at us.” - -“You assume he’s armed?” Mr. Livingston asked in surprise. - -“Why not?” Warner hesitated and then added: “Along with the food, he -took my gun. I thought I wouldn’t worry you by saying anything about it, -but reckon I should.” - -This additional bad news hit the Scouts hard. It was War who broke the -gloomy silence. - -“I’ve been a drag,” he admitted. “No, don’t try to feed me any soft -soap. This is my point: suppose I turn back? Wouldn’t you have enough -grub for the rest of the party?” - -“It would be shaving it too close,” Warner replied. - -“Maybe if two of us went back—?” suggested Willie slowly. “For instance, -War and me.” - -“Even at that, I doubt we could make it,” Warner said after a moment’s -thought. “Thanks, boys, for offering.” - -“Is there a forest ranger’s station near Elks Creek?” Jack asked -suddenly. - -“Yes,” Warner told him. - -“Does the service have patrol planes?” - -“Yes. They’re stationed about fifteen miles from Elks Creek.” - -“The Headless Hollow area has a lake,” Jack reminded the group. “Do you -suppose it would be possible to get the rangers to fly over that lake -and drop a supply of food?” - -“Jack, you have a brain!” Ken exclaimed. “Only how do we get word to the -rangers?” - -“That part’s easy,” Willie said quietly. “War and I will carry the -message.” - -The unselfishness of the two Scouts drew everyone’s admiration. Jack and -Ken insisted that if anyone turned back, they would be the ones to do -it. But in this they were overruled by both Mr. Livingston and the -rancher. - -After a thorough discussion, Willie’s plan prevailed. Accordingly, he -and War took light packs with just enough food and bedding to see them -safely back to Elks Creek. - -“We’ll have a plane speeding to Headless Hollow in a couple of days,” -Willie promised. “But if it should be a little longer, don’t worry. -We’ll get it there somehow.” - -“Take the return trip slowly,” Mr. Livingston urged them. - -He offered to go with them, but they would not hear of it. War insisted -that he felt strong again after his night’s rest and could make the -return journey without difficulty. - -“It’s better this way,” he said. “When I took a look at that mountain -last night, I knew I never could make it to the pass.” - -“Just be sure you bring back some gold,” Willie said with a grin, as the -Scouts bade him good-by. “And keep your eyes peeled for trouble.” - -The two trudged off, turning once to wave. Shouldering their packs, the -others then started on the long climb in the opposite direction. - -The sun glistened brightly on the high peaks. Jack tried to distinguish -the two sentinel rocks which Old Stony had led them to believe guarded -the entrance into the valley. However, all the peaks looked alike to -him. - -Warner had not exaggerated in warning that the climb would be hard. -After two hours of it, the Scouts welcomed a rest. Jack dropped his -bedroll and stretched out flat on his back. - -Shading his eyes against the glare of the sun, he let his gaze wander -over the distant peaks again. For just an instant, he thought he saw the -flash of color against granite rock. Getting quickly to his feet, he -asked Warner for his field glass. - -“What do you see?” Ken demanded as Jack trained it on the rocks far -above them. “The old man with whiskers?” - -“Nothing,” Jack reported, crestfallen. “Thought for a minute it was -someone’s red shirt.” - -“You’re seeing things for sure!” - -“Guess so,” Jack conceded with a grin. He returned the glass to its case -and flopped on the ground once more. - -After a twenty-minute rest, the party started on. - -The way became increasingly difficult and the footing insecure. Once -Jack dislodged a small rock and it clattered down the mountainside -hundreds of feet. Canyons bore the scars of sizable slides. Warner told -the Scouts that in winter avalanches were a great hazard in this -area—that even a small rock slide could be very dangerous. - -Lunch was frugal. Mr. Livingston boiled water for tea, but in the high -altitude it took a long while. The Scouts satisfied themselves with -crackers and cheese. - -“It’s always wise to eat lightly when you’re climbing,” Jack said with a -grin. - -For another hour, they fought their way upward through the tumbled -rocks. It was Warner’s hope that they could find the pass and before -nightfall descend to a good camp site in the valley. - - - - - Chapter 17 - AVALANCHE - - -The party worked itself on up toward the summit, climbing doggedly, -single file—when suddenly a strange noise was heard. - -Warner, in the lead, looked up quickly. A giant boulder was hurtling -down the steep mountainside, taking all before it. - -“Stand where you are!” he shouted hoarsely. “Don’t move!” - -As the great boulder bounded down the mountainside toward the Scouts, -they stood frozen. It was impossible to guess the exact course the big -stone would take, for it was careening wildly. - -To run when the footing was so treacherous would have been far more -dangerous than to remain where they were. Craig Warner, an experienced -mountaineer, had made his split-second decision and his shout of warning -had been instantly obeyed by the Explorers. However, to remain -motionless as the massive rock raced toward them required almost more -willpower than they could command. - -The crisis came quickly. The huge boulder, showering loose rock in all -directions, loomed above the boys. Then as quickly as the danger had -come, it was over. With the speed of an express train, the rock swept -past them. By scant inches it missed Ken, setting up a breeze as it -rushed by. - -On rolled the big rock to crash hundreds of feet below in a tangle of -twisted pines. - -“Wow! That was close!” Ken exclaimed when he had recovered speech. - -Jack, breathing hard, asked shakily, “What started that rock rolling -down the mountain? An animal?” - -“A two-legged one, I suspect,” rejoined Warner, his voice tight. - -He adjusted his field glass to train it on the rocks high above them. - -Lowering it after several minutes, he said: “No question about it. That -rock was dislodged purposely.” - -“By whom?” Jack demanded. - -“I glimpsed the fellow only for an instant when I first saw the rock -coming our way. Then he ducked back out of sight.” - -“It wasn’t Walz?” Mr. Livingston asked. - -“I don’t think so, but I couldn’t be sure,” the rancher returned, -squinting thoughtfully into the sun. - -“Maybe it’s that same bird who stole our food,” Jack speculated. “For an -unpopulated mountain, this place seems to have quite a bit of activity.” - -“Too much,” Warner tersely agreed. - -The near disaster had slightly unnerved everyone. Both Mr. Livingston -and Craig Warner were puzzled, for the rancher said again that he knew -of no prospector who frequented Crazy Mountain. - -“Why would anyone want to prevent us from reaching the pass?” he -speculated. “Walz would have a reason, but I doubt he ever got this far. -Even with Ranier he certainly couldn’t have made it.” - -“Someone else may know about the cache of gold,” Jack suggested. - -“It begins to look that way,” Warner agreed. “Either that, or we’re -dealing with a screwball. If a man lives too long alone—well, sometimes -his mind becomes twisted.” - -After a brief rest, the party struggled on, the mystery unsolved. Warner -used exceeding caution, keeping almost constant watch of the ledges -above. But he didn’t get a glimpse of anyone. - -Climbing was slow work, and the Scouts were hampered by the necessity -for keeping constantly alert for further trouble from above. A misstep -could have meant a bad fall because below were enormous cliffs and -breath-taking drops. - -“With luck, we should soon reach the pass,” Warner advised the group. -“Our contour map doesn’t show it, so I’m depending entirely on that -memory sketch I made.” - -“We haven’t sighted those two twin peaks Old Stony told us about,” Jack -said. - -“That’s what bothers me,” Warner replied. “In taking his landmarks, -maybe he made them on the return trip from Headless Hollow.” - -“That’s so!” exclaimed Ken, startled. “In that case, everything would be -different from the way we’re seeing it.” - -“Don’t forget, Old Stony may have drawn his map purposely wrong to throw -off anyone who might steal it,” Mr. Livingston reminded them. - -“We’ll soon know,” Warner replied. - -Settling themselves to a hard, relentless grind of climbing, the Scouts -followed their guide with dogged determination. Progress now was -painfully slow. An hour was required to make a few hundred feet. - -Jack’s back had grown numb from the weight of the pack. His legs felt as -if they would buckle beneath him. Mr. Livingston likewise was showing -signs of fatigue, and so was Ken. Only their guide seemed utterly -tireless. But as the overcast sun began to lower behind the jagged -peaks, even Warner began to falter and show signs of strain. - -His growing uneasiness began to be felt by the others. In the last few -hours, they had caught no glimpse of the mysterious enemy believed to -have dislodged the rock. In fact, they had half forgotten the incident. -But a greater worry now confronted them. - -Night was coming on, and unless the pass soon materialized, they must -make camp. However, the narrow ledges provided little more than walking -space. At times the grades were fairly gentle, giving the party a little -breathing spell. Then again they became so steep it was hard to find -good footing. - -Warner and Mr. Livingston pushed desperately on, hoping to find the pass -before darkness crept upon the lonely mountain. Though they gave no -verbal hint of their growing concern, Ken and Jack could tell by the -grim way the two men climbed that they were worried. - -To add to the party’s mounting alarm, the sky was rapidly becoming -veiled with black clouds that clung around the mountain peaks, ugly and -threatening. - -“We’ll have rain pretty soon,” Ken predicted, as he and Jack halted to -drop their packs briefly. “That’s all we need to make this day -complete!” - -Jack was too weary to answer. But, scanning the darkening sky, he -nodded. - -The day’s climb had been unbelievably hard, and seemingly it was -endless. How much longer, he wondered, would he be able to keep going? -He was glad Willie and War were safely on their way back to Elks -Creek—at least he hoped they were safe and comfortable. - -“The pass shouldn’t be much farther off,” Warner said to encourage the -Scouts. “We ought to come to it within another half hour.” - -“A half hour,” Ken repeated. “Well, let’s get the agony finished as fast -as we can!” - - - - - Chapter 18 - DEAD END - - -The party wormed its way up Crazy Mountain, gingerly testing the -crumbling rock lest it give beneath their feet. Tortuously, they made -another five hundred feet. Then Warner, who was in the lead, halted. - -“Boys,” he said, “I’m afraid we’re in a pocket. This can’t be the way to -the pass.” - -No one spoke. - -“Wait here,” he directed them. “I think we’ve come to a dead end. If I -can get up to that next ledge, maybe I can see a way on, but I doubt -it.” - -Feeling along the wall, he secured a firm hand grip and, with Mr. -Livingston’s help from below, attained the ledge above. He crept along -it and vanished from view. For a long while the Scouts waited, uneasily -watching the darkening mountains. Their situation, they knew, was -rapidly becoming precarious. - -Finally, Craig Warner reappeared and lowered himself back onto the -narrow ledge where the Scouts waited. His face told the story. - -“No chance of going on?” Mr. Livingston asked. - -“None.” Warner nursed his bruised hands. “We’re at an absolute dead end. -We’ve reached a cul-de-sac.” - -His words fell like a shroud upon the weary, footsore group. - -“We can’t camp here,” Jack said at last. “What’ll we do?” - -“There’s only one course open to us. We’ll have to return the way we -came.” - -“Return?” Ken echoed flatly. “Not all the way back to the ghost town?” - -“Maybe half that distance,” Warner advised. “There’s no water here or -fuel. Not even a place to pitch a tent. Temporarily at least, Crazy -Mountain has licked us!” - -Completely disheartened, everyone sat down on the rocky ledge to discuss -the situation. - -Night was fast coming on. A descent along the narrow trail would at best -be a risky undertaking, but to remain where they were was out of the -question. - -“There’s no possibility of going on?” Mr. Livingston asked the rancher. -“None whatsoever?” - -Warner shook his head. “The ledge above us plays out entirely, and the -one beyond can’t be reached. We’re in a pocket.” - -“Then we’ll have to accept the situation,” the Scout leader said, -getting wearily to his feet. “Let’s go.” - -Nearing exhaustion as they were, it seemed to Ken and Jack that they -could not trudge another mile. But they forced themselves to follow -Warner. Knowing that their safety depended upon reaching the wider -ledges before darkness completely enveloped the mountain, he took them -at a brutal pace. - -The Scouts were discouraged, footsore, and desperately hungry. Their -only sustenance since noon had been a small piece of chocolate which had -provided a little quick energy. - -In less than an hour, darkness closed in. To add to their troubles, it -began to rain. The fall was not hard, but it came steadily. Soon the -Scouts were chilled through. - -It seemed to Jack and Ken they never could make it. Every step had -become an agony. Minds and bodies had become half paralyzed. Yet -automatically their feet kept plodding on. - -Warner seemed to have an instinct for making his way, even in the dark -and rain. His flashlight guided them at the dangerous turns. - -Then gradually their route became easier, the slope more gradual. They -reached a shelf and a little wooded area beside a fast-rushing stream. -It was not the best camp site, but by this time none of them was too -particular. - -Dropping their packs, the Scouts went in search of firewood. Jack found -dry kindling material inside a log. Ken, after hard chopping, gathered -enough wood to get a little blaze going. By that time, Mr. Livingston -had the pup tents up. - -Everyone huddled near the fire, waiting for tea water to boil. Some of -their misery began to fade. - -The rain had practically ceased. The air, however, was damp, and a mist -shrouded everything. - -Little by little, the Scouts began to dry out and relax. Hot tea revived -their spirits. By the time Warner had prepared oatmeal and bacon, they -were feeling almost normal again. But no one spoke of plans for the next -day. - -After the simple meal the Explorers chopped more wood. Then they rolled -into their beds and slept soundly. - -By morning, the unpleasant experience on Crazy Mountain was only a dim -memory. Ken and Jack, even Mr. Livingston, awoke feeling only a little -tired and muscle sore. - -Once they were astir, most of their aches disappeared. The day was -bright and sunny. Warner had risen early to whip the eddies for a few -trout and these were cleaned and in the pan, delicately browning for -breakfast. - -Over the food, the group discussed procedure. A full day had been lost -in the futile search for the pass. There was no assurance that, if they -went on, it ever would be found before their skimpy food supply became -exhausted. - -“I’ve been looking over the map again this morning,” Warner said, -spreading it on the rocks. “There’s another way up, and it may lead us -through—that is, if you’re game to tackle it. I’m leaving the decision -to you fellows.” - -Ken glanced first at Mr. Livingston and then at Jack. - -“After that mess of trout, I could tackle anything,” Jack declared. -“Let’s go!” - -“Those are my sentiments,” Ken echoed. “No mountain is going to lick -me.” - -“We may run into another cul-de-sac,” the rancher warned. “It’s a chance -we have to take.” - -Breaking camp, the party set off once more. This time, they chose a way -which at first was more difficult than the one they had taken the -previous day. Nevertheless, as the day wore on, they became hopeful it -might lead them to their objective. - -“It’s queer we’ve seen nothing of Walz or Ranier,” Jack remarked as the -group paused to catch breath after a particularly steep stretch. - -“We may run into them yet,” Warner said. “With Old Stony’s map, they had -a better chance than we of reaching the pass without trouble.” - -As the party climbed higher, a sharp wind whistled eerily around the -crags. At times, Jack imagined he heard hollow laughter, as if the -spirit of Crazy Mountain were chortling at some secret joke. - -“This place gives me a queer feeling,” he confessed to Ken. “Ever since -we left the ghost town, I keep thinking we’re being watched.” - -Ken did not laugh as Jack had expected him to do. Instead, he said: “I -know. I’ve been having that same feeling. I figure it’s because our -stuff was stolen, and then someone shoved that rock down on us.” - -“It could have been an accident—” - -“Sure, but Warner isn’t the kind to make a mistake like that.” - -“No, he’s levelheaded,” Jack returned soberly. “I figure if we do find -that pass today—well, we may run into rugged going beyond that point.” - -“You think someone besides Walz wants to keep us out of the valley?” - -“It’s a possibility, isn’t it? I was thinking about it last night, Ken, -before I dropped off to sleep. Maybe someone stumbled onto Old Stony’s -secret long before we came here.” - -“A prospector?” - -“Possibly.” - -“In that case, the gold’s gone—if ever there was any.” - -“Maybe not,” Jack replied thoughtfully. “If the gold had been toted out, -word of it would have spread like wildfire. Beside, wouldn’t the -discoverer have cleared out of the valley as fast as he could, once he -had the cache?” - -“It’s all too deep for me,” Ken answered with a shrug. “My bones tell -me, though, that we’d better be prepared for a dose of trouble before -we’re through.” - -“Double trouble,” Jack added with a grin. - -By two o’clock doubt again began to assail the climbers. The going was -hard once more, and the pass seemed as elusive as ever. The prospect of -having to retreat a second time sent shivers of weariness down the -spines of the Scouts. - -“If we don’t make it today, we’ll have to turn back to Elks Creek,” Mr. -Warner announced. - -Presently, from a high point which gave a clear view of the surrounding -peaks he made another careful survey. Impatiently, the others awaited -his verdict. - -“I think I see what might be called twin peaks,” he said finally. “If -so, we’re close to the pass.” - -His words cheered everyone. Jack even hummed a little tune as he tramped -on. The heavy pack actually felt lighter on his back. - -The feeling of exultation grew as signs gave increasing encouragement -that this time their way would not be blocked. Soon the Explorers came -out on the round top of the mountain. - -While the others drank in the view, Warner and Jack searched for a way -down into the green valley. - -“You can see the tiny lake from here,” the rancher pointed out. “We -ought to reach it before nightfall. And if all goes well, the plane -should soon drop our supplies.” - -After careful consideration, Warner selected a route down which did not -look too difficult. Mr. Livingston and Ken were willing enough to leave, -for the bald dome was wind-swept and uncomfortably chilly. Patches of -snow lay in the more protected crannies. - -In crossing an open space to join Jack and the rancher, Ken abruptly -halted. He directed the attention of his companions to moccasin prints, -plainly visible in the snow. - -“And we thought we were the first to reach this pass!” he exclaimed. - -The prints, the Scouts decided, had been made within a short time—but by -whom? They were fairly certain that Walz had been wearing shoes and not -moccasins. - -“Any Indians living on Crazy Mountain?” Hap Livingston asked the -rancher. - -“Not that I ever heard.” - -Led by Warner, the Scouts started soberly down through the pass. Now -that their objective was close, they wondered all the more at the -dangers. Walz and Ranier, of course, were known hazards who, even though -they might be hostile, could be dealt with. But what of the unknown -inhabitant of the mountain? - -Thoughts were tumbling without pattern in Jack’s mind, when Warner up -ahead suddenly halted. Pulling himself up short, Jack saw that the -rancher was staring fixedly at something. - -“What is it?” he demanded. - -Without replying, the rancher moved aside so that the others could see. - -A stunted pine was growing out of a rock at a rakish angle and dangling -from its twisted lower limb was a skeleton. - - - - - Chapter 19 - THE CABIN - - -At sight of the swinging skeleton, the Scouts stood rooted to the rocks. -Jack was the first to recover speech. - -“Jeepers! Is it a warning intended for us?” - -“A little hint we’re to go no farther?” demanded Ken. - -Upon closer inspection, the skeleton proved to be one of a bear with -several head bones missing. Mr. Livingston cut it down with his pocket -knife. - -“I don’t like this,” he said. - -“We may be walking into a trap,” Warner conceded. “From the map, I judge -there’s no entrance or exit to Headless Hollow except through this -narrow pass.” - -“You mean once down there we may find it hard to get back?” - -“We face that chance. There’s no question this skeleton was hung here as -a warning. It was probably meant for anyone who might chance this way.” - -“Then the valley must hold treasure,” Ken said, his eyes kindling. - -“Don’t build up that hope,” Mr. Livingston warned him. “We may be -dealing with a man who is out of his mind.” - -“That’s what alarms me,” agreed Craig Warner. “I’d feel safer if I had -my gun.” - -“We’re four to one,” Ken pointed out. - -“True,” the rancher replied, “but numbers can be misleading. Besides, we -don’t know for sure if there’s only one against us.” - -Despite the discussion, no one considered turning back. The climbers had -suffered too intensely to think of giving up their objective now. At -least the valley was attainable, and the route down did not look too -hard. But certainly the warning skeleton had alerted them to possible -danger, and they knew they had to remain constantly on guard. - -Pressing on, the Scouts followed Warner single file down the slope. - -Deep blue shadows were lengthening by the time the four swung through a -deeply wooded area. Here they proceeded with even greater caution. But, -without incident, they finally came out on a flat shelf overlooking the -valley. - -With a common impulse, everyone halted, for the view snatched away their -breath. A tiny sapphire lake lay far below. Against the dark backdrop of -the mountainside stood a tiny cabin. - -“That must be the place Stony and my father built,” Warner said. “We’ve -reached our goal—Headless Hollow.” - -“But not the gold,” Ken reminded him. - -“That doesn’t concern me too much,” the rancher replied. “If Stony left -a cache and it’s still here, I admit I’d like to have it. I could -enlarge my ranch, rebuild the barn, and make a lot of repairs. But -getting the ore out of this valley would take some doing, I reckon.” - -With darkness fast coming on, the Scouts pushed rapidly along. Gone was -all fatigue. An excitement which steadily mounted buoyed up their -spirits and made them forget their weariness. - -The sun was nearly down when at last the party trudged up to the cabin -they had seen from the distance. They approached cautiously, mindful -that Walz and his guide or the unknown inhabitant of Crazy Mountain -might have taken refuge there. They found no one, though. Jack pointed -out that the cabin logs were in a remarkable state of preservation for -having stood so long. - -“This cabin has been kept repaired,” Warner announced after he had -looked it over. - -Telling the Scouts and Mr. Livingston to keep back, he crept to the -glassless cabin window and peered in. Seeing no one, he motioned that it -was safe for the others to approach. - -The cabin was practically without a floor, since the boards had -deteriorated. Furniture consisted of a broken-down table, a stool, and a -pile of fir boughs which had served as someone’s bed. - -Jack went over and touched the ashes in the crumbling fireplace. “Warm,” -he reported. - -“Someone has certainly been living here recently,” Warner said. “No sign -of anyone around now, though.” - -It was too late to search that night for the caches of gold ore which -Old Stony had claimed he hid in the hollow. Feeling almost as if they -were intruders in the valley, the Scouts set about preparing supper. - -Warner fished the lake, bringing in a nice mess of trout. It heartened -the group. They had decided to hoard enough of the meager supplies for -an emergency return to Elks Creek if necessary. - -“Willie and War should be able to get help to us by tomorrow,” Mr. -Livingston said. “If the Forest Service plane drops food, we’ll be all -right. But if the plan goes amiss for any reason, we may have a rough -time of it.” - -The night was closing in chilly, with a threat of rain, so the Scouts -decided to sleep inside the cabin. - -A fire brought a little cheer to the dreary room. Mr. Livingston and -Craig Warner told a few stories of past experiences in the wilds. -However, talk soon died for, although no one said so openly, the -atmosphere was oppressive. - -Twice Jack left the fire to gaze out the open window. He couldn’t see -anyone in the dark, yet he couldn’t rid himself of the feeling that -someone was prowling near the cabin. - -“Think we ought to post a guard?” he suggested. - -“Not a bad idea,” Warner agreed. “I’m a light sleeper, though, so maybe -we can take a chance.” - -Before turning in, he and Mr. Livingston made a tour of the cabin area. -Everything was quiet. A light rain, however, had started to fall. - -“This may prevent the plane from dropping our food tomorrow,” Mr. -Livingston remarked, scanning the sky. - -The Scouts made up their beds and turned in. Jack was too weary to -sleep. After a while, above the sound of the rain, he thought he heard -footsteps outside the cabin. Quickly, he got up. - -Before he could investigate, the door was flung open. Jarrett Walz, his -clothing torn and wet, staggered in. - -His arrival awakened the others, and Ken built up the fire, which -provided a flickering light in the cabin. - -“Where’s Ranier?” Warner demanded. - -“That yellow dog deserted me,” Walz muttered, collapsing onto the bed of -pine boughs. - -“You quarreled?” the rancher guessed. - -“Yes,” Walz admitted sullenly. “I made it here after he left me at the -pass. The thief took my food. I’m half starved.” - -It was evident that the motel owner had suffered severely on the trail. -Despite their intense dislike for the man, the Scouts could not help -feeling sorry for him. - -Mr. Livingston brewed him a cup of strong tea and used the last of the -flour to make pancakes for him. Walz ate ravenously. - -“Why did Ranier turn back?” Warner asked when the motel owner had -finished eating. “You say you quarreled?” - -“Almost constantly. He said I wasn’t paying him enough for the risk of -the trip, and that I wasn’t doing my share of the camp work. Then we -came to the pass—” - -“And the bear skeleton?” Jack suggested. - -“Yes. That finished Ranier. He said the valley was evil and he wouldn’t -set foot in it. So he deserted me.” - -“You have the map you stole from me?” Warner asked. - -Walz eyed him defiantly. - -“Maybe.” - -“Hand it over.” - -“Like fun I will! I didn’t all but kill myself to get here, only to make -things easy for you. Oh, no!” - -“We can take the map,” the rancher quietly reminded him. - -“You can’t,” Walz sneered. “I’m not dumb enough to walk in here with it -in my pocket.” - -“You’ve hidden it?” - -“Better than that. I’ve destroyed it.” Triumphantly, the motel owner -tapped his forehead. “The secret is here—right here. Known only to me.” - -Warner shrugged. He had no reason to doubt Walz’ statement. - -“You may regret destroying the map,” he observed. “A memory sometimes -proves faulty.” - -“Not mine,” Walz boasted. “I’ll find that gold, and it will be mine—all -mine!” - -“You’re loco,” Warner retorted. “We ought to heave you out of here, but -we’ll be generous—a weakness you wouldn’t understand.” - -The Scouts made room for the motel owner near the fire. He had not -feigned exhaustion. Almost at once he fell into a deep sleep. - -“He should make no trouble tonight,” Warner said contemptuously. -“Tomorrow may be a different story.” - -Once more the Scouts turned in for the night. Again Jack slept, though -fitfully. At times he imagined Walz was stirring. Always it was his -fancy. Then again, he imagined he heard a noise outside the cabin. - -Actually, it was toward morning when he awoke with a start. His -imagination again? - -Suddenly he knew that it was not. He felt smothered, suffocated. - -Starting up, he began to cough and choke. The cabin was filled with -smoke! - - - - - Chapter 20 - THE PLANE - - -For a moment, Jack thought the cabin was on fire. But there were no -flames. Groping his way through the blinding smoke, he flung open the -door. - -As he reached the better air, he heard a hard thud on the ground at the -rear of the wretched cabin. Then, in the semi-darkness, he saw a shadowy -figure darting toward the dense bush rimming the lake. - -By this time, Ken too was awake, coughing and fighting the smoke. The -others quickly rose and made their way out into the night air. - -If Jack had cherished any thought that Walz was responsible for the -condition of the cabin, it was dispelled. The motel owner staggered out, -rubbing his eyes and whining that he had been asphyxiated. - -“You closed the flue!” he accused them. “You wanted to get rid of me!” - -The Scouts paid no attention to his mutterings. Instead, Jack and Ken -checked the fireplace. Smoke from the half-burned-out fire was pouring -into the room instead of rising up the flue. - -“Must be a down draft,” Ken said, fighting the smoke. “The air’s heavy -because of the rain.” - -“Not that heavy, Ken.” - -Jack recollected the strange thudding noise he had heard and the -fleeting shadow he had seen. Someone, he was convinced, had been on the -roof of the cabin. - -“I’m going to see what’s wrong,” he announced. “Help me up there, will -you?” - -“You may crash through the roof,” Ken warned. “One good puff of wind and -this whole place will fall down like a cardboard box.” - -He and Craig Warner gave Jack a boost onto the sloping roof. In a moment -they heard his shout of discovery. - -“No wonder we were smoked out!” - -“What’s wrong?” Ken demanded. - -“A hunk of wood has been jammed down the chimney! The smoke couldn’t -escape, so it went out into the cabin.” - -Jack tugged and pulled, but the piece of wood had been wedged tightly -into the chimney. Ken climbed up with a hatchet. Together they chopped -the chunk to splinters, then dropped back down onto the ground. - -“Who did it?” Walz demanded in a shaky voice. - -“The ghost of Old Stony,” Jack replied in jest. “Maybe he’s upset to -find us in his valley.” - -At mention of the old prospector, Walz seemed to go to pieces. - -“Don’t be saying things like that!” he fairly screamed. - -“Sorry,” Jack apologized. “It was only a joke. I don’t know any more -than you do about who wedged that wood into the chimney. But it was done -on purpose.” - -“I’m not going back in there tonight,” Walz whined with a shudder. “Why, -it’s a wonder we weren’t burned in our beds!” - -By this time, the sky had grown lighter, an indication that dawn was not -far off. The clouds were clearing, and the rain had stopped. - -“If Willie and War got through to the Forest Service station, we may -sight their plane today,” Mr. Livingston said hopefully. - -No one attempted to go back to sleep. Warner and Jack made a brief but -futile search for their mysterious enemy. - -“I suspect it’s the same fellow who stole our food and my gun,” the -rancher said. - -“You think it’s somebody who has been living here in the valley?” - -“It looks that way, Jack. Who he is, or how he manages to keep alive, I -don’t know. We’ll have to be eternally on guard.” - -Mr. Livingston and Ken had fished the lake during their absence, and now -near the cabin they proudly displayed four good-sized trout. - -“Where’s Walz?” Ken suddenly asked. - -The motel owner was not to be found near the cabin nor in it. Very -shortly the Scouts learned the reason: during their absence, he had -disappeared. With him had gone their few remaining supplies. - -“Why, that thieving rascal!” Warner exclaimed. “We took pity on him and -shared what little we had. This is our pay.” - -Only a perfunctory search was made for Walz. It was certain he had taken -refuge in the bush not far from the cabin, but to track him down would -have been a difficult and useless task. - -“By this time, he’ll have hidden what he can’t consume,” Warner said in -disgust. “He probably figures on finding those caches and getting out of -here fast.” - -Breakfast was a disheartening meal. The fish, baked in leaves, was -tasteless without salt. - -“We’ll not starve,” Warner said. “But it’s sure we have to replenish our -supply of staples or hit the trail for Elks Creek. The question is, can -we be sure that Willie and War have gotten help for us?” - -Mr. Livingston spoke with quiet confidence: “Unless they had some bad -luck the plane will get here.” - -“Good flying weather today,” Ken added cheerfully. - -“It’s settled then that we stick it out,” Warner said. - -They decided that one of them should remain close to the clearing -throughout the day to make certain the plane would not be missed. -Selecting a fairly level place where the packages of food might be -parachuted down, Jack laid out a bright-colored cloth as a signal. - -In the meantime Warner, Mr. Livingston, and Ken set off to try to find -the gold caches. At noon they returned, tired, hungry, and discouraged. - -“No luck,” Ken reported, “but we did find a grave on a hillside not far -from the lake.” - -“My father’s,” Craig Warner said. “There was a marker with his name.” - -“An odd thing,” Mr. Livingston contributed. “Ferns and flowers have been -planted beside the grave.” - -“Recently too,” added Ken. “At least, the earth around them has been -loosened recently.” - -Warner gazed toward the distant mountains, glistening in the bright -sunlight. “This trip has already been worth while for me,” he said. “The -gold doesn’t matter.” - -“But there is gold!” Jack insisted. “At least, when I was at the lake I -saw particles of it that had washed down from the hills. And I found a -sluice box someone had been using.” - -“Our unknown enemy, probably,” Warner said. “He didn’t show himself -while we were gone?” - -“No one.” - -“Any sign of a plane?” - -“None.” - -In the afternoon, Ken took his turn staying behind, while the others -resumed search for the caches of ore. According to Warner’s recollection -of the map, both had been near the entrance to a ravine some distance -from the lake, but the morning search had proven unfruitful. - -“I may have made a miscalculation,” the rancher admitted. - -“Maybe we picked the wrong ravine,” said Jack. - -They began the afternoon search nearer the lake and cabin. Immediately, -landmarks seemed somewhat more familiar and similar to the chart -markings they remembered. - -“We must be on the right track!” Jack said jubilantly. - -They were encouraged to find old holes drilled in the hillside. This -they took to be evidence that Old Stony or other prospectors who -followed him had tested the area as a possible mine site. - -But the hiding place, if ever there had been one, could not be found. - -“Maybe Walz has had better luck,” Jack said, sinking down on a rock. -“Queer we haven’t had a glimpse of him all day.” - -“He’s lying low,” Mr. Livingston said. “Either that, or he’s hit out for -Elks Creek.” - -Disheartened, the trio finally headed back toward the cabin. As they -rounded a ridge, Jack suddenly stiffened. - -“Listen!” - -Faintly in the distance, they could hear the drone of an airplane -engine. - -“War and Willie are sending help!” Jack cried. “Food!” - -With all haste, the three fought their way up the crumbling rocks. -Reaching a high spot, they eagerly scanned the sky. - -Far to the east, a tiny moving speck could be discerned. - -“It’s coming this way!” Jack shouted. “The pilot can’t miss the lake!” - -Although the plane was still far away, he took off his hat and began -waving it in a wide arc. He might have spared himself the trouble. - -The plane came on closer for a moment longer and then, for no apparent -reason, it banked and turned back on its course. - -Jack kept thinking that it surely would circle again. But it did not. - -As he and his companions watched in stunned silence, it vanished between -the mountain peaks. - - - - - Chapter 21 - THE ENEMY - - -Heartsick, Jack, Craig Warner, and Hap Livingston trudged back to the -cabin. Ken, too, had seen the plane from the woods where he had been -gathering a few edible berries. He reported that it had not come close -enough to the clearing for him to signal. - -“What made it turn back?” he grieved. “Surely the lake makes a sizable -landmark.” - -“It may not have been the Forest Service plane,” said Warner. - -“Something’s wrong,” Mr. Livingston declared. “Warwick and Willie may -have had trouble getting through. If anything happened to them—well, -I’ll always blame myself for letting them go off alone.” - -“They’ve made it by now,” Jack said. - -However, he spoke with more confidence than he felt. War’s condition had -not been the best, and it was quite possible he had fallen ill on the -trail. Resolutely, he put the matter from his mind. There was enough to -worry about as it was, he told himself. - -“Any visitors while we were away?” he asked Ken as the group walked to -the cabin. - -“Only a bear. He didn’t stick around long when he found there was no -food.” - -“Walz?” - -“Not a glimpse of him.” - -“He’s hidden out in a canyon somewhere,” Jack guessed. “He may give us -trouble yet—especially if we should find the gold before he does.” - -“Not much chance of that,” Ken replied. “In fact, I’m beginning to think -Stony dreamed up that gold. The valley’s real enough, but that cache may -have been all fancy.” - -Jack made no answer. Weary, hungry, and discouraged, he too wondered if -the trip to Headless Hollow might not have been a mistake. However, he -had no intention of saying so. Fetching water from the lake, he went -into the cabin and flung himself onto the bed of boughs. - -Despite his weariness, he did not lie there long. Something which was -propped against the fireplace drew his gaze. He rolled off the bed and -went over to pick it up. It was a long strip of bark, and on the inside -surface a message had been printed in uneven charcoal letters. - -“GIT OUT OF THIS HEAR VALLEY BEFOR IT IS TOO LATE.” - -Jack carried it outside to show to the others. - -“Walz never left this,” he said. “That fellow who tried to smoke us out -last night must have printed it.” - -“He’s an unfriendly coot,” Warner observed. “It’s a mystery how he -manages to live here.” - -Ken said he had seen no one near the cabin while the others had been -searching for the caches. Nevertheless, he had been absent himself for -half an hour. It was during this period, they decided, that the fellow -had sneaked out of the woods to leave the warning message. - -After another frugal meal of fish and berries, everyone except Warner -turned in for the night. He insisted upon keeping watch until midnight. -At that hour, Mr. Livingston relieved him. It was nearing dawn when Jack -awoke to see the Scout leader dozing by the fire. - -“It’s my turn now,” he volunteered. - -Mr. Livingston reluctantly permitted him to take over the watch. Jack -sat a while with only his dreary thoughts for company. In his mind’s -eye, he tried to reconstruct the treasure map as first he had seen it in -Rocking Horse. - -Definitely, he recalled that the two caches of gold had been close to -each other at the mouth of a ravine. But the years might have wrought -changes in the terrain. Wind and rain and rock slides could have altered -the area. - -For that matter, with the valley inhabited, might not the gold long ago -have been removed? - -Jack’s thoughts rambled back to his last talk with Stony in the -hospital. Then he had seriously doubted that the prospector had found -gold in this remote valley. Now that he was here, he had gradually begun -to believe that the tale had been true. - -The grave and marker with John Warner’s name indicated that Stony had -indeed lost his partner in Headless Hollow. Mystery still shrouded the -death. Restlessly, Jack rose and walked to the window. The sky was -beginning to lighten. Very soon the sun would be up. - -He built up the fire. Noticing that the supply of wood was low, he took -the axe and went for more. He chopped a dead jackpine, stacking the -pieces near the cabin door. - -As he went down to the lake for water, he thought he heard mocking -laughter from amid the willows. But he could see no one, and when he -halted to listen, there was no further sound. He continued to the -water’s edge and stooped to fill the vessel. Some instinct warned him. -He still had heard no sound but, without knowing why, he whirled -suddenly. - -A dark figure loomed behind him. He caught a blurred impression of an -aged face as he ducked. - -A heavy object struck him a glancing blow on the side of his head. -Senses reeling, he staggered crazily backward into the water as wild -laughter rang in his ears. - -Dazed as he was, he realized his opponent had struck him with the butt -of Warner’s stolen gun. And now the crazed fellow was pointing it at -him, laughing idiotically! - -Off balance from the stunning blow, Jack let himself collapse into the -lake. Then, fearful his assailant would fire, or hurl a rock at him if -he emerged, he dived deeper. - -Holding his breath, he went down into the chilly depths until he struck -sand, and then he swam underwater. When his lungs screamed for air, he -cautiously rose to the surface. Raising his nose and mouth just above -water, he gazed toward shore. - -At first the wild creature who had assaulted him so viciously was -nowhere to be seen. But as Jack scanned the shore, he saw the dark -figure retreating as stealthily as he had come. He was a bent, twisted -man who moved with cat-like tread over the rocks toward a distant -ravine. - -Scrambling out on shore, Jack ran to the cabin. He met Craig Warner, who -only that moment had dressed. - -“You fell in the lake!” Warner exclaimed, staring at him. - -Jack related what had happened and added: “The fellow who attacked me is -as crazy as this mountain! He headed for the far ravine.” - -“I’m going after him,” Warner said. - -Jack would not allow the rancher to trail the old man alone. Without -taking time to change his wet clothes, he guided Warner in the direction -his attacker had taken. - -The sky was rapidly brightening. At the edge of the ravine they caught -their first glimpse of the old man. He wore moccasins and moved with -amazing swiftness over the rough terrain. - -“Unless I’m mistaken, he’ll lead us to Old Stony’s gold,” Warner -whispered. “Our best bet is to keep out of sight.” - -Agile as a monkey, the old fellow scrambled over the rocks with the -energy of a much younger man. He came at last, as the rancher predicted, -to a pit opening that was covered by brush. - -Not even glancing about, the man pulled the debris aside and dropped out -of view. - -“It’s a mine, all right,” Warner declared as he and Jack crouched behind -the bushes, waiting. - -“Stony’s caches of ore must be somewhere close,” Jack whispered. - -Warner nodded. “Probably, unless this daffy old fellow has moved them. -He has certainly been living here a long while, Jack.” - -By this time the sun was up, and Jack’s wet clothing had begun to dry a -little. But he remained cold, uncomfortable, and drowsy. He craved -action. - -“Shouldn’t we try to find out what’s doing down in that mine?” he urged. - -“Patience, Jack.” - -“He may stay down in that hole all day!” - -“He’ll come out sooner or later. We’d be crazy to go after him, Jack. -Remember, he has a gun.” - -“I know,” Jack conceded with a sigh. “It’s hard to wait, though. What’s -he doing down there, anyhow? Counting his gold?” - -“Digging it, more than likely.” - -Jack’s tired eyes sparkled. “You think we’ve stumbled onto Old Stony’s -source of gold?” - -“We’ve found something,” Warner grunted. “But don’t forget, Colorado is -thick with abandoned mines—most of ’em worthless.” - -As the sun rose higher, Jack became convinced the old fellow would never -reappear. He was half asleep, when Warner unexpectedly nudged him. Then -he came awake with a start. - -The old man could be seen backing awkwardly out of the pit hole. - -In the bright daylight, he looked like a grotesque creature with long, -windblown white hair and a straggling, dirty-white beard. - -But Jack was not inclined to chuckle. The old fellow had an intensity of -purpose which was frightening. He was chattering to himself, but the -only word the listening pair could distinguish was: “Gold.” - -Then, as they watched, the old man turned his half-glazed eyes toward -the bush where they crouched. In that instant Warner obtained his first -direct look at the withered, weather-tanned face. - -“Well, what d’you know!” he whispered. “It’s Joe Hansart!” - - - - - Chapter 22 - TRAPPED - - -The gaunt man who had crawled from the mine pit did not see them -crouching in the dense thicket. He stood facing them, however, a -revolver dangling carelessly at his belt. He was a grotesque, powerfully -built fellow amazingly agile, and he was wearing a ragged, red-wool -shirt and an open, tattered leather jacket. - -As Jack and the rancher watched, Joe Hansart wheeled and trotted off -over the rocks in the general direction of the pass. - -“We missed our chance to nab him,” Jack said, emerging. - -“Yes, but he has my gun, and it’s probably loaded,” Warner replied. “If -he sees us he may shoot. The poor old fellow seems completely off his -rocker.” - -“You know him?” - -“Not very well, but he’s Joe Hansart.” - -“Is he the prospector you mentioned at your ranch?” - -“Yes. Years ago I saw him a few times.” - -“Didn’t you tell us at the ranch that he had set out for this hollow and -vanished?” - -“Yes,” the rancher answered. “So far as I know, Joe hasn’t been seen in -Elks Creek for years.” - -“But how has he managed to live?” - -Warner shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe he makes trips out, though not to -Elks Creek. Probably he stashes food for the winter. In the summer, a -man of his ingenuity could get along on very little.” - -“But why would he stay here year after year?” - -“Evidently he’s been seized with gold fever, Jack, and it has twisted -his brain.” - -“You think he’s found Old Stony’s caches?” - -“I suspect so, Jack. Perhaps he has even stumbled onto a rich vein in -that pit mine. Let’s find out.” - -Making certain the old prospector had not doubled back on his trail, the -two dropped down into the hole. - -The mine was a shallow one, bolstered with crudely cut timber. Water -dripped from above, making the floor slippery and slimy. Warner’s -flashlight came to rest on a box of dynamite. - -“Watch it!” he advised sharply, as Jack would have investigated. “That -stuff’s old—and dangerous.” - -A little farther on they came to a pile of mined ore. Warner picked up -one of the chunks of rock, studying the dull-looking metal under the -flashlight. - -“This looks like rich stuff!” he exclaimed. “It’s hand sorted!” - -“Then Stony was right!” Jack cried. “He did find a fortune, only to lose -it.” - -“Hard to tell until the stuff is assayed, but this ore looks rich to me. -Almost pure gold, Jack.” - -“And there’s a lot of it! Piles and piles! Old Joe Hansart must have -been mining it here for years.” - -Warner went on to a second and third pile of ore, but his enthusiasm -began to die. - -“What’s wrong?” Jack demanded, puzzled by the rancher’s change of -attitude. “Isn’t it gold, after all?” - -“It’s gold, all right.” - -“But not quality stuff?” - -“Well, it’s hard to tell much just by looking at it, Jack. That first -pile of hand-sorted stuff was rich—no question about it. But this—” -Warner dropped a chunk of ore contemptuously. - -“It’s worthless?” - -“I wouldn’t say that. I’m no expert. It’s easy to see, though, that’s -it’s not the same rich ore as that first pile.” - -“Even so, there’s a lot of it,” Jack said optimistically. - -“Oh, that one pile might be worth thousands,” Craig Warner replied. “And -it’s available to anybody who hauls it out.” - -“Why do you suppose Joe Hansart hasn’t done it?” Jack speculated. - -“Two reasons probably: one, he hasn’t wanted anyone to know of his -discovery; two, ore is heavy.” - -“You figure Hansart never filed a claim?” - -“I doubt it, Jack. If he had, word would have swept this section of -country like a prairie fire. He’s probably panned enough pure gold from -the lake to keep him in supplies. Meanwhile, he has stayed on here -alone, enlarging the mine.” - -A short distance further into the pit, they came to a tunnel opening -which had been half covered with debris. Pulling the brush aside, Warner -ran the beam of his light over the rough wall. - -“This seems to be where Hansart has done his most recent work,” he -observed. “You can see the vein. But it’s thin—played out.” - -“Then this is only another worthless mine?” - -“I couldn’t pass judgment on such a brief inspection,” Warner returned. -“Besides, as I say, I’m not an expert.” - -“But it doesn’t look too promising to you?” - -“Frankly, it doesn’t, Jack. I don’t want to build up your hopes, only to -have them collapse.” - -“Oh, I hadn’t figured on cashing in on this trip except in fun and -experience,” Jack rejoined cheerfully. - -“There’s gold here,” Warner said soberly. “These days, though, it takes -capital—lots of it—to operate any mine profitably. Headless Hollow is -hard to get at. So to make it worth while, the vein would have to be -exceedingly rich.” - -They went on to the end of the narrow tunnel. - -“In my opinion the vein was better near the surface,” Craig Warner said, -as he and Jack turned back. “It’s one of those freak things. Old Stony -thought he had made a rich find. He must have found ore that would be -worth maybe twenty to fifty thousand dollars in the present market. But -the streak seemingly plays out.” - -“Mightn’t it pick up again somewhere in the valley?” Jack suggested -hopefully. - -“Yes. But if in all these years Joe Hansart hasn’t improved on this -site, I doubt there’s any bonanza here.” - -“The lure of gold, though, has held him here.” - -“True,” Warner agreed. “And there’s the tragedy of it. Poor Joe! I don’t -know what’s to be done about him. He’s dangerous in his present state of -mind, and it won’t be easy to help him.” - -“He already regards me as Enemy No. 1,” Jack said with a rueful chuckle. -“My head still aches from that crack he gave me on the head.” - -“Joe’s probably afraid we’re here to steal his gold.” - -“I suppose so. He must have been the one who stole our food at the ghost -town. And he must be the one who put up that animal skeleton at the -entrance to the pass.” - -“Except for Joe, this valley must have been uninhabited for years,” -Warner said thoughtfully. “Prospectors who drifted this way always got -into trouble—minor accidents, food disappearing.” - -“Hansart must have been behind it all!” - -“He certainly wasn’t suspected, Jack. But what we’ve seen today -convinces me—” - -“No search ever was made for him?” - -“None that I recall, Jack. You see, Joe was a queer one, even as a young -man. The lone-wolf type. He had no relatives anyone ever heard about. -When he’d vanish for a year or so at a time, no one thought anything of -it. Then finally the story grew that he’d disappeared on a prospecting -trip into this valley.” - -“He must have lived in that wreck of a cabin we took over—the one built -by your father and Old Stony.” - -“Yes,” Warner agreed. “I’d guess that gold ore we found at the mine -entrance—the good stuff—came from the original cache and poor old Joe -stored it in here.” - -“Probably he keeps pretty close watch of this mine,” Jack remarked, a -note of uneasiness in his voice. “How long have we been down here, -anyhow?” - -“Too long.” - -“Let’s get out,” Jack urged, starting over the rough, uneven tunnel -floor. - -Warner’s flashlight guided them to the main opening into the mine. - -“It must still be pretty dark outside,” Jack remarked, mystified because -no daylight filtered down. “A fellow can’t see an inch ahead of his -face.” - -He groped on up the rough steps in the rock. But where the exit to the -mine should have been, his hand encountered first a mass of brush, and -then solid rock. - -“Something’s wrong!” he muttered. “This can’t be the way we came.” - -“Sure, it is,” Warner insisted, pressing close behind him. “This mine is -a simple affair. No offshoots. Here, let me have a look.” - -His light beam swept the mine exit. - -Both the rancher and Jack drew in their breath sharply. - -The opening through which they had entered a few minutes before was now -blocked. They were trapped in the mine! - - - - - Chapter 23 - ESCAPE - - -Jack’s first thought was that a rock slide had dammed up the mine -entrance. Sober reflection, however, told him that such was not the -case. - -Obviously, someone had quietly shoved a great boulder across the narrow -opening. - -“Joe Hansart!” he exclaimed. “He must have seen us come in here.” - -“We’re trapped, all right,” Warner muttered. - -He and Jack applied their shoulders and heaved with all their strength. -They could move the rock a trifle, but not enough to shift it from its -position. - -“Other rocks have been piled on top,” Warner gasped. - -Once more the pair worked and heaved in unison, but without the -slightest success. - -Exhausted, they sank back against the rock wall to consider their -desperate plight. Soon they would be missed at the cabin. That was -certain. But it was doubtful Ken or Mr. Livingston would pick up their -trail to this remote ravine until many hours, perhaps days had passed. - -Meanwhile, they were without food or water. And Joe Hansart might lie in -wait for any rescuers and attack them as he had attacked Jack. - -“Crazy coot!” Warner exclaimed. “He’s outwitted us. We became so intent -on exploring the mine that we forgot everything else.” - -“Listen!” Jack directed suddenly. - -He was certain he had heard a scratching sound on the huge rock above -their heads. - -“Maybe it’s Joe Hansart piling on more stones!” he muttered. - -Together, the trapped pair shouted. At once the scraping sound ceased. - -“Someone’s out there,” Warner decided. “It must be Joe. Maybe if we can -convince him we don’t want any of his gold, he’ll relent and let us -out.” - -They shouted, but only their own voices echoed weirdly back in the pit. -Desperately, they shoved again at the rock barrier. This time they -succeeded in dislodging enough of the loose debris to permit a little -daylight to filter down. - -As they nursed their bruised hands, they heard harsh laughter. - -“Joe, listen to reason!” Warner bellowed at him. “We don’t want your -stupid gold.” - -“No?” asked a mocking voice. - -Warner and Jack stiffened. - -“That’s Walz!” the latter identified him. “Not Hansart!” - -For a fleeting instant, the two prisoners took heart. They thought they -would be able to reason with the motel owner. - -“Listen!” Warner shouted to him. “There must have been a rock slide. -Help us get out of here!” - -“And why should I do that?” the motel owner asked in the same mocking -tone. “You won’t make any trouble where you are now!” - -“Have you lost your senses?” Warner stormed. - -“Quite the contrary,” Walz rejoined, plainly enjoying his triumph. -“You’ve both been a pain in my neck ever since I set eyes on you. Now -you get what you deserve.” - -“What’s the idea blocking the exit?” Warner demanded. “What’s your -game?” - -“My game? Only a little device to gain time. It was your bad luck that -you stumbled onto the vein.” - -“The vein—” Warner started to explode, then held his tongue. - -“Oh, I saw you sneak into the mine after the old man went away,” Walz -rattled on. - -“You’ve been down here yourself?” - -“I have,” the motel owner admitted. His voice carried plainly to the -pair below, for he was close to the opening between the rocks. “I found -the gold ore, and I have samples now in my pack.” - -“What are you aiming to do with ’em?” - -“I’ll have them assayed. But first I’m staking out a claim to this -section of the valley.” - -“Sure someone hasn’t beaten you to it?” - -“This is unclaimed valley—the entire hollow. Ranier told me so. That -dirty, low-down scamp deserted me. I’ll get even with him when I get -back to Elks Creek.” - -“Listen,” Warner said in exasperation, “you’ve had your little joke. Now -let us out of here. We can’t raise that rock from below, but you can -roll it aside.” - -“Maybe I can, but I’m not going to do it,” Walz retorted coolly. “You -trailed me to Headless Hollow, but you’re not going to beat me filing a -claim.” - -“Who wants to file one, you stupid ox?” - -“You!” the motel owner accused. “I’ve risked everything to get this -gold. Nothing is going to stop me now. Nothing!” - -“You’re welcome to the gold—whatever you can find,” Warner said wearily. -“Just let us out.” - -“Never.” - -At first, the trapped pair had not believed that the motel owner -seriously meant to keep them confined below, but his intention could no -longer be doubted. - -“Walz, pay close attention,” Warner pleaded. “I came to this place -largely to see the grave of my father. The gold—if there was any—didn’t -mean too much to me.” - -“That’s a lie!” - -“It means everything to you, but you have the wrong slant. Unless I’m -mistaken, this mine would never pay well enough to interest a company. -Old Stony gathered some rich ore, it’s true. He died without knowing -that the vein wasn’t extensive.” - -“You’re wasting your breath,” Walz retorted. “Talk till you’re blue in -the face. It won’t move me. I have my samples of gold, and I’m hitting -the trail!” - -“Walz—” - -There was no answer. The two prisoners realized that he had carried out -his threat and left. They were indeed trapped in the mine. - -“Hap and Ken will start searching any minute now,” Jack said, trying to -remain cheerful. “If they come this way, they may see that pile of -rock.” - -“And again they may not,” Warner grunted. “We may never be found until -it’s too late. Walz is a blackguard, if I ever met one! Like as not, -even after he’s filed his claim he won’t send anyone.” - -“There’s always Joe Hansart. He’ll be coming back.” - -“Yeah,” Warner agreed, “our best hope probably lies with him. But the -old coot may stay away for days. Meanwhile, we can get pretty fed up in -this hole.” - -The two sat down, their backs to the rough wall. Jack’s clothing had -only partially dried after his ducking in the lake, so he was damp and -uncomfortable. - -“We’ve got to get out of here,” Warner said determinedly. “You’ll get -pneumonia, if we don’t.” - -“No exit except this one?” - -“The tunnel ended against a blank wall. I checked that.” - -“If Walz could push that stone into place alone, the two of us ought to -be able to shove it away.” - -“We’re pushing against gravity, Jack. He rolled it down the incline. -Besides, once he got it into place, he piled on other rocks and debris. -We’re caught like two animals in a cage.” - -Suddenly Jack straightened as a thought occurred to him. - -“That dynamite!” he suggested. “Any chance we could blast our way out of -here?” - -“Maybe we could!” the rancher exclaimed. “It would be risky business, -though. Old dynamite, especially, is dangerous to handle.” - -“A tiny charge would turn the trick.” - -“Sure,” Warner grinned, “providing we aren’t both blown to bits before -we set it off. But I’m willing to try. Anything’s better than just -waiting in this hole.” - -The rancher would not allow Jack to go near the stored boxes. He -insisted, “You go and take refuge in the far end of the tunnel.” - -Using the utmost care, Warner placed the dynamite sticks without -accident. Breathing hard, he joined Jack after the fuse had been set. -For a full minute, they waited tensely. Nothing happened. - -“The stuff is dead,” Jack declared. - -“Maybe not,” Warner said. “It was a long fuse. Wait.” - -They waited. Suddenly the tunnel was rocked by a terrific explosion. As -they hit the earth, covering their faces, small bits of rock showered -down. When the dust had cleared, they groped their way back to the -entrance. Climbing up through the debris, they saw daylight. Warner -squeezed out through the tumbled rocks, and reached down to help Jack. - -“We’re free and still in one piece,” the rancher chuckled. - -Setting out from the ravine, they started for the cabin. However, they -had covered less than a third of the distance when they saw Hap -Livingston and Ken coming toward them at a run. - -“What happened?” Ken demanded, as he glimpsed the dirt-streaked faces -and disheveled clothing of the two. “We heard an explosion!” - -Tersely, Jack and the rancher related their harrowing experience in the -mine. - -“Now Walz is streaking for Elks Creek!” Warner ended the account. “He’s -on a fool’s chase, in my opinion. I could be wrong.” - -“Shouldn’t we try to head him off?” Jack proposed eagerly. “He’s not had -too big a start.” - -“It won’t take long to sling our equipment together,” Ken added. “Maybe -we can overtake him. We have a score to settle, regardless of the gold!” - -“It may not be necessary,” Warner advised quietly. - - - - - Chapter 24 - A FIGHT - - -His words were mystifying. Then the other three noticed that the rancher -had turned his gaze toward the distant pass which guarded Headless -Hollow. Far above them, on the high cliffs, they saw two struggling men. - -“Walz and Joe Hansart!” Jack exclaimed. “They’re fighting.” - -The watchers below were too far away to see the struggle plainly. It was -apparent, though, what had happened. Evidently Walz had attempted to -leave the valley with his sack of sample gold, and Joe Hansart had -caught him. Now the two were locked in a death struggle. As the -Explorers watched in horror, the two men fought close to the edge of the -cliffs. - -“They’ll kill each other, if we don’t stop them!” Mr. Livingston -exclaimed. - -At a run, he and the others started for the pass. - -The trail, such as it was, wound in a gradual climb. Jack and Ken tried -the steeper, direct route. Even so, they were less than a third of the -way up to the cliff when they heard a hoarse, frightened shout. - -Joe Hansart, despite his age, had overpowered his adversary. Inch by -inch, he crowded him to the edge of the precipice. Walz rocked back and -forth on the ledge, fighting for his life. Beneath him yawned the chasm. - -The end of that desperate struggle was inevitable. - -Walz’ boot went over the slanting rock. He tried wildly to regain a -foothold, but could not. As he fell, he held fast to the old man, -pulling him along. - -Locked in each other’s arms, the two men fell to a ledge fifteen or -twenty feet below. There they struck bushes which in part broke their -fall. Then over and over they rolled, to the bottom of the long slope. - -“What an end!” Ken gasped, shuddering. - -Peering over the cliff, Jack saw Walz move one of his hands. It revived -his hope that the motel owner at least might have survived the long -drop. - -“Quick!” he cried. “A rope!” - -Ken went as fast as he could back to the cabin. Without waiting, Jack -scrambled down the steep slope. - -He lost his footing almost at once and rolled. He managed to break the -fall with his hands, and brought himself to a stop, unhurt, not far from -the two injured men. - -Joe Hansart, he saw at a glance, was the more seriously injured. The old -man lay in a crumpled heap, bleeding from a head wound. Walz was -conscious, though in a state of semi-shock. - -“Help me,” he whimpered. “Help me. My leg is broken.” - -Ignoring Walz for the moment, Jack checked Joe Hansart’s bleeding. The -wound was superficial. The old man, however, was pale, and his lips were -blue. His pulse was weak and rapid. He drew breath irregularly and with -difficulty. - -“Take it easy,” Jack advised. “Help is on the way.” - -He moved the old man so that his head lay downhill. He was relieved to -see that this position restored Joe’s color a trifle and improved his -pulse, but he saw that the prospector was quivering from shock and -chill. Stripping off his jacket, he covered the old man. - -Leaving him for the moment, he turned his attention to the whimpering -motel owner. - -“I’m dying,” Walz moaned. “The pain is horrible. Do something!” - -It was plain to see that the motel owner’s left leg was broken. -Possibly, too, he had suffered some internal injuries. Jack, however, -was inclined to doubt it, for Walz, now that he had partially recovered -from the stunning impact, was becoming talkative. - -“Don’t move,” Jack advised the moaning fellow. “Lie still until we can -splint that leg.” - -Walz, disregarding the order, tried to pull himself to a sitting -position. The effort brought new pain. - -“That fool has done for me,” he moaned. “I’ll never get back to Elks -Creek.” - -“After the way you left Warner and me trapped in the mine, you don’t -deserve any help,” Jack said. “We ought to leave you here to suffer.” - -His words were not meant to be serious. Walz nevertheless considered -them so. - -“Don’t leave me here,” he begged. “I can’t walk a step. I’d never get -back to Elks Creek alive. You must help me!” - -“And if we do?” - -“I’ll give you a share of the gold,” Walz whispered. “I swear it. I did -wrong to take the map.” - -“What about the way you left us in the mine?” - -“I meant to send help to you as soon as I reached Elks Creek,” Walz -mumbled. - -Jack had his own opinion on this matter, but he let it pass. - -“You wanted the gold from the very first,” he said. “It was you, wasn’t -it, who broke into Old Stony’s cabin back in Rocking Horse? You beat him -when he woke up and found you trying to steal the map!” - -The motel owner’s lips trembled, for he was not willing to answer. - -“And it was you,” Jack went on, “who stole Stony’s nuggets from the bag -of pinto beans. If you want any help, admit the truth.” - -“Am I going to die?” Walz asked, his voice quavering. - -“You’re miles from a doctor,” Jack reminded him. “Unless we can get help -to you, the situation is bad.” - -“I’m going to die,” Walz groaned. “I—I may as well tell you the truth -and get it off my conscience.” - -“You slugged Old Stony?” - -“It was an accident. I went to the cabin, hoping to get the map—yes, I -admit that. The old man woke up and tried to stop me. I flew into a rage -and hit him. Then I ran.” - -“Old Stony never knew it was you who tried to rob him,” Jack said. “You -can be thankful for that.” - -“I felt terrible about it,” Walz sobbed. “I didn’t mean to hurt Stony. -Why, I liked the old duffer. I gave him a good home. I fed and clothed -him.” - -“It was the thought of gold that turned you against him.” - -“And I found the gold too,” Walz whispered. “It meant to me more than -anything else. Now I’ve lost everything.” - -By this time Mr. Livingston and Warner had reached the site of the -accident. Ken soon came with the rope and first-aid supplies. - -While Mr. Livingston made a splint for Walz’ leg, the others improvised -a stretcher. They bound Joe Hansart to it, and by dint of great labor -and ingenuity they finally carried him down to the valley floor and from -there to the cabin. - -Meanwhile, the Scout leader had made Walz fairly comfortable. Gradually, -as it dawned upon the motel owner that he might not die, he lapsed into -sullen silence. - -It was only after he too had been transported to the cabin that he began -to deny his previous statements. - -“I was out of my head,” he muttered to Jack. “If I said anything about -harming Old Stony, it was the bunk. I don’t have any idea who broke into -his cabin at Rocking Horse.” - -Jack and his friends avoided discussing the subject further. Once they -reached a town, they intended to turn Walz over to the authorities. To -get out of the valley, however, was their first problem. - -“We’re in a bad spot,” Warner admitted, drawing the others aside for a -serious conference. “Both of those men need a doctor.” - -“Hansart, especially,” Mr. Livingston added. “He has scarcely opened his -eyes since we got him here. We need food and medical supplies.” - -“There’s only one thing to do,” Warner decided. “Something has happened -to the Forest Service plane, I’m afraid. I’ll start right away for Elks -Creek. The only thing—I hate to leave you alone here with two injured -men.” - -“We’ll make out,” the Scout leader assured him. “Wait a few hours, -though, before you start. If I know Willie and War, they won’t let us -down.” - -Ken and Jack set out the signal cloth near the lake, hoping that any -pilot flying that way would see it. Several hours elapsed. - -The day was clear, with very little wind. Conditions were nearly perfect -for flying, yet no plane appeared over the mountains. - -“Something must have happened to Willie and War,” Mr. Livingston -declared, pacing nervously up and down. “Otherwise, help would have -reached us by now.” - -“They’ve had plenty of time to get through,” Warner agreed. “To wait and -hope any longer is foolish.” - -Without further discussion, he gathered his gear together. Jack and Ken -walked with him toward the trail to the pass. - -“I’ll make as fast a trip as I can,” he promised. - -A bright glare was on the jagged mountain peaks. Staring toward the -pass, Jack thought he saw a small moving speck in the sky. He rubbed his -eyes. Imagination, he told himself, for he had given up hope that the -plane would come. - -Then Ken let out an excited shout. He too had seen the moving object -against the dark mountainside. - -“It’s coming this way!” Craig Warner cried, dropping his pack. - -For a few brief moments, the trio watched anxiously. Would the plane -turn back as it had done on the previous occasion? - -Warner finally identified it: “It’s a Forest Service ship, with -pontoons. Boys, I think it’s heading straight for the lake.” - -Fearful that the pilot might miss the cabin area or falsely conclude -that no one remained there, the three made all haste back to the lake. - -By the time they arrived there, breathless from running, the roar of the -powerful engines could be heard distinctly. Hap Livingston had come -hurrying out of the cabin. Anxiously the four waited, waving their arms. - -Their signals were unnecessary. As the plane made a practice run, the -watchers knew that help had arrived. In fact, as the Forest Service ship -dropped closer, Jack was able to recognize War and Willie riding with -the pilot. - -Again the plane circled. Down fluttered a parachute with packages of -food attached. It hit the ground about a hundred feet from where the -Scouts stood. Ken and Jack ran to retrieve it. - -“This will be a help,” Ken declared jubilantly. “But we need -medicines—and a doctor.” - -Working fast, Mr. Livingston and Craig Warner ripped up the signal cloth -into two flags. These the Scout leader attached to sticks. With the -improvised wigwag device, he then began sending the message: - -“TWO MEN BADLY HURT. NEED MORE HELP.” - -Over and over, he repeated the message. Whether or not the flags could -be correctly interpreted from above, those on the ground had no way of -knowing. The plane, however, kept circling. Finally, the pilot dipped -the wings in signal. - -“They got it!” Ken cried. - -The watchers expected the plane to turn and head back toward its base. -Instead, it kept circling. - -“The pilot is going to try a landing on the lake!” - -Warner exclaimed. “He can get in, all right, but will he ever be able to -take off again?” - -The seaplane came in low, skimmed above the willows, and made a smooth -landing. Jack, Ken, and the two men waded out to meet their rescuers. - -“You read my wigwag!” Mr. Livingston exclaimed, embracing first Willie -and then War, who splashed out into the shallow water. - -“Couldn’t get a reading except on one word—‘HELP’,” Willie admitted. “We -knew something was really wrong, though, so we risked a landing.” - -“Why did you turn back on your first trip here?” Ken demanded. - -“Engine trouble,” War explained briefly. “Just as we came in sight of -the pass, we had to turn and go back to the base. What’s wrong here?” - -“Quite a bit,” Mr. Livingston replied. “We have two men on our -hands—both badly hurt. We ought to get them to a hospital without -delay.” - -After the seaplane had been anchored so that a wayward wind would not -dash it against rocks, the group went into serious conference. - -The pilot, Dave Fallouby, was confident he could get his ship into the -air again, if it was not too heavily loaded. However, he could safely -carry only three passengers. It was decided that Walz, Hansart, and Mr. -Livingston should make the return flight with him, and that the four -Scouts with Craig Warner would go back to Elks Creek afoot by easy -stages. - -Accordingly, the two injured men were carried by stretcher and propped -with blankets as comfortably as possible in the plane. Mr. Livingston -was the last to climb aboard. - -“We’ll rendezvous at the Elks Creek Hotel,” he said. “Take it easy, -boys, on the trail.” - -Nervously, the four Scouts and Craig Warner watched as the pilot stepped -up the motors. The lake was small. If Dave failed to gather speed -rapidly, he might crash into the rocks or willows. - -With a mighty roar, the seaplane ploughed through the waves. Its -pontoons lifted slightly, only to drop again into the water. - -“Too heavily loaded!” Willie groaned. - -“Dave will make it,” Warner said confidently. - -A moment later the plane cleared the water. It skimmed along barely -above the lake for a distance. - -“Climb—climb!” Jack muttered, his fists clenched. - -The plane cleared the rocks at the far end of the lake. Everyone took a -deep, relieved breath. - -Twice the ship circled after attaining safe altitude. Mr. Livingston -waved to reassure the Scouts that all was well. Then the plane headed -over the blue mountains and soon was lost in the distance. - - - - - Chapter 25 - RENDEZVOUS - - -Jack sprawled on the hotel bed, munching an apple. The Elks Creek weekly -newspaper was spread before him, but he had not been reading. - -“Hap and Craig Warner are an hour overdue,” he complained, looking at -his watch. “Why don’t they get here?” - -“Because they’ve been held up at the hospital,” Ken replied calmly. -“Easy, boy! You’ve been fretting all morning.” - -Jack rolled off the bed. Going restlessly to the window, he gazed down -on the street below. It was nearly deserted, and there was no sign of -either the Scout leader or the rancher. - -“Joe Hansart is in a bad way,” Willie contributed from the other side of -the room. “That’s why they sent for Warner and Hap.” - -“I know,” Jack acknowledged. “I ought to be patient. It’s just that I’m -eager for news.” - -Late the previous night, the four Scouts and their guide had reached the -hotel. The long hike over the mountains had been exhausting, if -uneventful. Nevertheless, even War and Willie had stood the hard trip -surprisingly well. A good night’s rest and a hearty breakfast had -revived everyone. - -Very early, both Mr. Livingston and Mr. Warner had been called to the -hospital. The Scouts had received no word from them since their hurried -departure. - -To kill time, the Explorers began mapping out the route they would take -on the remainder of the trip back to Belton City. For the first time -since they had left their homes weeks before, they eagerly looked -forward to returning. - -“Route 52 looks the best to me,” Ken said, marking it with a red pencil. -“To be sure, though, we’ll have to check at the first Automobile Club -office.” - -Footsteps were heard outside the hotel room. Instantly, the Scouts lost -interest in the map. The door opened, and both Mr. Livingston and Craig -Warner came in. Looking tired, the two men sat down. - -The Scout leader said, “Joe Hansart is dead.” - -“Dead!” Jack repeated sadly. - -Mr. Livingston nodded. “Pneumonia,” he explained briefly. “The doctors -did everything possible, but not even the miracle drugs could save him.” - -“Did he die without recovering his senses?” Willie asked in a low voice. - -“No,” the Scout leader answered. “At the end he was quite clear in his -mind. That was why the hospital officials sent for us.” - -“Did the old man tell you anything?” War demanded. - -“We learned everything,” Craig Warner said, taking up the story. “It’s a -bit fantastic, but understandable if you know Joe’s type as I do. As a -very young man, he chanced upon the Headless Hollow area.” - -“About the time Old Stony and your father found gold there?” Jack -commented. - -“Yes, even as a young man, Joe wasn’t right in his mind. He suffered -hallucinations and had obsessions. To make it short, poor Joe thought -that the valley and the gold belonged to him and that my father and -Stony were intruders. He spied on them and even shot my father. Then he -fled.” - -“Did Hansart himself make that confession?” Ken demanded. - -“Yes, and I think it’s the truth,” the rancher replied. “As I said, -Joe’s mind was clear at the end. I doubt if Joe ever knew Old Stony was -blamed for my father’s death.” - -“What about the caches of gold?” War interposed eagerly. - -“Joe found them. He moved the ore to the mouth of the mine. Over the -years, at remote places, he sold just enough to keep him in supplies. -You see, he thought he had found one of the richest mines in the state -and was afraid word would leak out.” - -“Didn’t he ever file a claim?” Ken inquired. - -“He filed several, but improperly. As soon as we hit town, I checked on -that. I’ve filed one of my own now. Not that it matters much.” - -“The mine is worthless?” - -“Not entirely so,” the rancher replied. “A man could make a hard living -there, perhaps. Only the hand-picked ore left by Old Stony and my father -has real value. The rest assays too low to make commercial mining -profitable.” - -“What of the ore itself?” Jack asked thoughtfully. “Isn’t it worth -anything?” - -“Roughly, I figure it ought to net from $10,000 to $40,000, depending on -transportation costs. Whatever it tallies, I’ll give you boys your -share.” - -“We’ve already had our share,” Mr. Livingston said with a smile. “The -gold never interested us as much as the adventure.” - -“Even so, cash is handy to have,” the rancher insisted. “You could use -another vacation next year, couldn’t you?” - -“We’re always r’arin’ to go!” War chuckled. - -“If I have luck getting the ore out, I’ll send you a check,” Warner -promised. “Nothing spectacular. Enough, though, to pay you for your lost -equipment—and for a vacation next summer.” - -“What will you do with your share?” Jack asked curiously. - -“Pay off the mortgage on the ranch,” Warner answered. “Of course I’ll -take care of Hansart’s last expenses at the hospital too, and his -funeral.” - -“You don’t bear him any grudge, do you?” - -“No, Jack. He wasn’t responsible for his actions. What a miserable life -he had!” - -“He was the one who stole our food at the ghost town, wasn’t he?” Willie -speculated. - -Warner nodded. “Yes, Hansart used that place as a sort of base for -supplies he carried in. He had caches of canned food and other items -stored where he could dig them up when he wanted them. He ventured out -only when he couldn’t avoid it. Even then, he never in recent years -showed up in Elks Creek. That’s why everybody assumed he had died.” - -“Hansart, of course, was responsible for the area’s bad reputation,” Mr. -Livingston added. “He considered the valley—the cabin—the -gold—everything—his. He drove off everyone who ventured that way.” - -“What of Walz?” Ken asked presently. “Did you talk to him again?” - -“Only briefly,” Mr. Livingston returned. “He is in a savage mood.” - -“Recovering?” - -“Oh, yes. He’ll be as well as ever, once his leg mends. Naturally, he -denies everything.” - -“It will do him no good,” Warner interposed. “I’ve talked to the -sheriff. A guard is being posted at his hospital room.” - -“Then he’ll be returned to Rocking Horse?” - -“At the state’s expense,” Warner chuckled. “He’ll have to stand trial -for manslaughter in the death of Old Stony. Perhaps he can convince a -jury the attack was unintentional. I seriously doubt it.” - -That night, the entire party had a big dinner in the hotel at Craig -Warner’s expense. He introduced them to town officials and many of his -friends. - -“If this keeps on, we’ll begin to think we’re more important than a bank -president!” War protested. “Anyway, I’ll be glad to pull out of here -tomorrow morning.” - -The Explorers expected to rise at dawn, slip quietly out of the hotel, -and be on their way. Therefore, it came as a surprise the next morning, -when they found Craig Warner waiting for them beside their car. - -“Nice day for traveling,” he drawled. “Reckon I’ll drive a piece with -you, to show you the first fork in the road.” - -The rancher drove ahead through the sleepy little town and into the -hills. A blue haze hung over the distant mountains. A few miles out of -Elks Creek, Warner pulled up, and the Scout automobile drew alongside. - -“Take the road to the left,” the rancher said, indicating it with a wave -of his hand. “The highway is paved all the way.” - -Gravely he shook hands with Mr. Livingston and each of the Scouts in -turn. Then his eyes roved toward the high peaks, behind which Headless -Hollow lay hidden. - -“By the way,” he said casually, “I forgot to tell you. We’re changing -the name of Crazy Mountain.” - -“Changing it?” Jack repeated. - -“Yes, from now on it will be known hereabouts as Old Stony.” - -The Scouts were silent, thinking it over. Jack turned to gaze toward the -faraway mountain top, magnificent in the colored dawn. - -“Old Stony,” he said, his voice husky. “I like it. So would he. You -know, fellows, that mountain couldn’t have a more appropriate name.” - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - ---Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public - domain in the country of publication. - ---Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and - dialect unchanged. - ---Provided a new cover image for free and unrestricted use with this - eBook. - ---In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the - HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.) - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Boy Scout Explorers at Headless Hollow, by -Don Palmer and Mildred A. 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} - blockquote { max-width:23em; } - div.verse { max-width:25em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } - div.bq { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; max-width:23em; } - - /* book advertisements */ - div.bcat dl dd { margin-left:4em; max-width:21em; } - div.bcat dl dt { text-indent:-2em; margin-left:2em; } - p.bkad {font-size:125%; font-weight:bold; margin-top:2em; max-width:20em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } - p.bkpr {font-size:90%; } - p.bkrv { } - dl.blist dt { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; } - dl.blist, dl.biblio { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; max-width:25em; } - - dl.int { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; max-width:25em; } - dl.int dt {margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; } - dl.int dd {margin-left:2em; } -</style> -</head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Boy Scout Explorers at Headless Hollow, by -Don Palmer and Mildred A. Wirt Benson - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Boy Scout Explorers at Headless Hollow - -Author: Don Palmer - Mildred A. Wirt Benson - -Release Date: April 29, 2017 [EBook #54632] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BOY SCOUT EXPLORERS--HEADLESS HOLLOW *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - -<div id="cover" class="img"> -<img id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Boy Scout Explorers at Headless Hollow" width="500" height="712" /> -</div> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p1.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="760" /> -<p class="caption">Far above them, on the high cliffs, they saw two struggling men.<span class="jr">(<i>See <a href="#Page_200">page 200</a></i>)</span></p> -</div> -<div class="box"> -<h1>BOY SCOUT EXPLORERS -<br />AT HEADLESS HOLLOW</h1> -<p class="tbcenter"><i>By</i> -<br /><span class="large"><span class="ss">DON PALMER</span></span></p> -<p class="tbcenter"><i>ILLUSTRATED</i></p> -<p class="tbcenter">CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY -<br /><i><span class="small">Publishers</span></i> <span class="hst"><i><span class="small">New York</span></i></span></p> -</div> -<p class="center small">Copyright, 1957, by -<br />CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY -<br />All Rights Reserved -<br /><i>Printed in the United States of America</i></p> -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> -<dl class="toc"> -<dt class="jr"><span class="jl"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span></span> <span class="small">PAGE</span></dt> -<dt><span class="cn">1 </span><a href="#c1">Old Stony</a> 9</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">2 </span><a href="#c2">Trouble in Camp</a> 21</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">3 </span><a href="#c3">The Treasure Map</a> 30</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">4 </span><a href="#c4">A Bag of Beans</a> 37</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">5 </span><a href="#c5">The Search</a> 46</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">6 </span><a href="#c6">The Threat</a> 54</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">7 </span><a href="#c7">Under the Tent Flap</a> 62</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">8 </span><a href="#c8">Walz’ Proposition</a> 72</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">9 </span><a href="#c9">Short Cut</a> 81</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">10 </span><a href="#c10">Trickery</a> 90</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">11 </span><a href="#c11">Cloud Crest Ranch</a> 98</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">12 </span><a href="#c12">An Unexpected Visitor</a> 105</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">13 </span><a href="#c13">Thief in the Night</a> 113</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">14 </span><a href="#c14">Ghost Town</a> 122</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">15 </span><a href="#c15">Warm Ashes</a> 131</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">16 </span><a href="#c16">Missing Supplies</a> 139</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">17 </span><a href="#c17">Avalanche</a> 146</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">18 </span><a href="#c18">Dead End</a> 152</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">19 </span><a href="#c19">The Cabin</a> 161</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">20 </span><a href="#c20">The Plane</a> 169</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">21 </span><a href="#c21">The Enemy</a> 177</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">22 </span><a href="#c22">Trapped</a> 185</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">23 </span><a href="#c23">Escape</a> 192</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">24 </span><a href="#c24">A Fight</a> 200</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">25 </span><a href="#c25">Rendezvous</a> 211</dt> -</dl> -<div class="pb" id="Page_9">9</div> -<h2 id="c1"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 1</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">OLD STONY</span></h2> -<p>The road wound through spike pines which stood -silhouetted in the fading daylight.</p> -<p>Long, empty miles lay behind the weary travelers -since they had left Philmont Boy Scout Ranch in -the New Mexico Rockies. More miles stretched endlessly -ahead.</p> -<p>“Hey, when do we stop for grub? This air sure -gives a guy a whale of an appetite!”</p> -<p>“War” Washburn, a skinny, freckled youngster, -rode with feet dangling out the car window. His -question was shot at their driver, Hap Livingston, -leader of Boy Scout Explorer Post 21 of Belton -City.</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston and the four explorers were returning -to their home state after twelve days of -rugged fun at the Boy Scout ranch. They had hoped -to reach the Colorado border by nightfall, but now -that seemed impossible.</p> -<p>“Yeah,” piped up tow-headed Willie Medaugh. -“What say we start looking for a camp site? It’s -going to get dark early tonight.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_10">10</div> -<p>The fifteen-year-old sat wedged in the back seat -of the sedan between Jack Hartwell and Ken Dougherty, -the two more serious members of the husky -Scout crew.</p> -<p>“Okay, boys,” Mr. Livingston agreed. “We’ve had -a hard drive, and I’m ready to hit the sack—since -you insist.”</p> -<p>Already Jack was consulting the road map. “Nearest -town is Rocking Horse, eight miles ahead,” he -reported.</p> -<p>“We’ll stop there,” the Scout leader decided. “If -we can find a camp site with all the comforts of -home, I’m for taking it.”</p> -<p>“Why, Hap!” Ken drawled. “Can’t stand the gaff -any more?”</p> -<p>The question was asked in jest. As the four explorers -knew well, their leader, a former FBI man, -could stand up under grueling physical punishment. -This he had proven during recent adventure trips to -Peru and Emerald Valley in Colombia.</p> -<p>“I feel sort of lazy tonight,” Hap confessed. “Riding -herd over War at Philmont must have worn -me out.”</p> -<p>“Dragging him away from the ranch was the -hardest,” Jack recalled, his blue eyes twinkling.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_11">11</div> -<p>“Well, there was so much to do,” War defended -himself. “I wanted to make another pack trip on -the trail Kit Carson once rode. And I wanted to -visit the old mine.”</p> -<p>From his shirt pocket he pulled out a handkerchief -in which were wrapped several bits of sparkling -rock.</p> -<p>“Still hoarding that junk?” Ken asked with a grin.</p> -<p>“Junk! Just see it shine in the sunlight!”</p> -<p>Ken pretended to cover his eyes. “The glow blinds -me!” he chuckled.</p> -<p>“Well, it’s genuine gold,” War said indignantly. -“I panned it at Philmont.”</p> -<p>“Sure, we know,” drawled Willie. “You’ve told us -at least twenty times.”</p> -<p>“That rare specimen of yours should assay about -1/800ths of a cent to the ton!” Jack teased.</p> -<p>“Anyway, it was fun panning it.”</p> -<p>“Everything at Philmont was fun,” Jack declared.</p> -<p>“Seeing deer, elk, and bear in natural surroundings. -Learning how to climb and handle an axe. -Instruction in fire building and cooking. But now -it’s behind us.”</p> -<p>“And Rocking Horse is ahead,” reminded Mr. -Livingston. “Save the arguments, lads. You’ll need -your energy for making camp.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_12">12</div> -<p>The Scouts took the hint and fell silent. True, -everyone would have enjoyed another two weeks in -the West, but money was dwindling. So, laden with -souvenirs and happy memories, they were now on -the way home.</p> -<p>Presently the dusty car pulled into Rocking Horse. -The city, with a cluster of adobe houses at the outskirts, -appeared to have not more than about eight -thousand residents. After inquiry at a filling station, -Mr. Livingston drove to a motel and camp site at -the city’s northern edge.</p> -<p>Few cars were parked near the tiny office on the -roadside. The reason for the comparative desertion -was immediately apparent to the Scouts, for the motel -buildings were run-down and in need of paint. The -pine grove and camp site at the rear did not look -too attractive, either.</p> -<p>“How about it, boys?” Mr. Livingston asked -doubtfully.</p> -<p>“Oh, it may not be so bad,” Jack replied. “We’re -all tired, so let’s hole in.”</p> -<p>The others agreed. Accordingly, Mr. Livingston -drove up close to the office. He and Jack went inside -to register for the group.</p> -<p>An old man who wore a soiled Stetson hat sat -tipped back comfortably in a chair. His big heavy -boots came down from the desk, and he squinted -at them with watery blue eyes which were bright -and sharp.</p> -<p>“Howdy!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_13">13</div> -<p>Mr. Livingston returned the hearty greeting and -inquired about a camp site.</p> -<p>“Sure, we’ve got plenty o’ room for you,” the old -man replied. He dug into the old-fashioned roll-top -desk for a registry book. “How many in your party?”</p> -<p>“Five. We won’t need a cabin—only space for our -two tents.”</p> -<p>“That’ll cost you two bucks for the night.” The -old man thrust a pen at the Scout leader. All the -while, he was studying Jack’s green uniform with -the “BSA” strip over the right shirt pocket.</p> -<p>“Here in Rocking Horse we don’t ask a man -where’s he going, or where he’s been,” he drawled. -“But danged if I’m not curious about that BSA on -your pocket. Reckon it means Better Stay Away.”</p> -<p>“It stands for Boy Scouts of America,” Jack explained. -“Are you the motel owner?”</p> -<p>“Not me.” The old man stretched out a calloused -hand to take the two dollar bills Mr. Livingston -offered. “These diggin’s are owned by a hard-fisted -hombre by the name o’ Jarrett Walz.”</p> -<p>“You don’t like him?” Mr. Livingston asked, mildly -amused at the old-timer.</p> -<p>“Didn’t say so, did I? Walz gives me my grub -and a cabin for lookin’ after this place. When you’re -pushing eighty and have a bad ticker, you’re not too -particular.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_14">14</div> -<p>Jack and Mr. Livingston regarded the old man -with new interest and respect. Despite shaggy white -hair and a weather-beaten face, he did not look more -than seventy, for his muscles were firm and his -stooping shoulders were powerful.</p> -<p>“My name’s Stony,” the old man volunteered. “I’ll -show you where to park.”</p> -<p>Shuffling out of the office, he directed them to -the rear of the deep lot.</p> -<p>Old Stony loitered to watch as the Scouts efficiently -set about unloading equipment and setting -up their tents.</p> -<p>“Nested cooking pans and sleeping bags!” he -cackled. “In my day, we used a lard pail and our -own backs for a mattress. Anything you’ll be -wanting?”</p> -<p>“Nothing, thank you,” Jack assured him.</p> -<p>Old Stony started to leave. Then he halted, hesitated, -and said: “See that little cabin yonder? That’s -where I flop. It gets kind o’ lonesome sittin’ there -alone at night, so if you boys have nothing to do -later on, drop by and we can chin.”</p> -<p>“Fine!” Jack agreed.</p> -<p>“I’ll bet you could spin some real tales of the Old -West,” War interposed eagerly. “Were you a cow-puncher?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_15">15</div> -<p>“You wouldn’t catch me herding beef,” Old Stony -said in disgust. “I was a prospector. If it hadn’t been -for a bad run o’ luck, I’d own this joint instead o’ -taking orders from Walz.”</p> -<p>“You nearly struck it rich?” War prodded.</p> -<p>“Dang it!” Old Stony snorted. “I hit gold—enough -to put me on Easy Street for the rest o’ my days. -Only—”</p> -<p>A melancholy, dreamy look crept over the old -fellow’s leathery face, and his gaze became fixed -upon the faraway mountains. For a long moment -he seemed lost in the memory of a colorful past. -Then, with a shake of his head, he broke up his -reverie.</p> -<p>“Maybe I’ll tell you about it tonight,” he hinted. -“Then again, maybe I won’t. Anyway, drop around.”</p> -<p>After Old Stony had gone, the Explorers got a fire -started and made supper. Over the bacon and eggs, -they discussed him and his invitation to drop around -later at his cabin. Willie was sure it would be a waste -of time, but the other Explorers wanted to go, -especially War.</p> -<p>“That old boy will tell us about his prospecting -days if we prime him right,” he insisted, stirring the -camp fire.</p> -<p>“Sure, he’ll spin a wild tale of finding gold,” jeered -Willie, “and you’ll fall for it!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_16">16</div> -<p>Meeting Old Stony had made the Scouts forget -their weariness. They thought it would be interesting -to chat with the aged camp worker. Accordingly, -after the supper dishes were put away, War, -Ken, and Jack went over to his cabin. It was -a mild August night, and the cabin door stood -open.</p> -<p>At Jack’s knock, the prospector’s deep voice -boomed: “Come in!”</p> -<p>The interior of the one-room cabin was cheerless -except for a small fire in the grate. It was furnished -with a makeshift bed, a cracked mirror, a chest of -drawers, and an old rocker.</p> -<p>“Sit down,” Old Stony invited, waving them to a -seat on the sagging bed.</p> -<p>The boys could not fail to respond to the old -fellow’s warmth and hospitality. Sensing his loneliness, -they told him of their stay at the Scout ranch -and then launched into an account of their previous -exciting trips to Peru and Colombia.</p> -<p>“You’re not like the regular run o’ tourists that -come through here,” Old Stony said, lighting his -pipe. “Right off, when I saw you make camp I knew -you weren’t softies.”</p> -<p>“How long have you lived in Rocking Horse?” War -asked.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_17">17</div> -<p>“Too long. But I reckon I’m stuck here until I -hit the Long Trail. When I head for that last roundup—and -it’s not so far off now—I reckon my secret -will die with me.”</p> -<p>“Your secret?” Ken repeated, sensing that the old -man was ready to launch into his tale.</p> -<p>“Yup. There are men who would give their lives -to know what I got locked here.” Old Stony tapped -his hairy chest. “Jarrett Walz in particular.”</p> -<p>War leaned forward on the bed. “A secret about -gold?”</p> -<p>Old Stony hitched his rocker nearer the fire. Without -looking at the Explorers, he began:</p> -<p>“Back in the early 1900’s my podner and I made -our lucky strike.”</p> -<p>“Here in New Mexico?” asked Jack.</p> -<p>“No, in Colorado. My podner and I were lured -West by the Shining Mountains—the Rockies, folks -call ’em.”</p> -<p>“But weren’t the big Colorado gold strikes earlier -than 1900?” Ken interposed thoughtfully. “I’ve read -about Leadville and Cripple Creek in 1891—”</p> -<p>The interruption annoyed Old Stony. “This place -I’m telling you about you’ve never read of,” he said, -“and you never will because it’s a place hard to reach -even today. My podner and I gave it the name of -Headless Hollow.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_18">18</div> -<p>“There’s a way in if you know the trail and can -stand hardships. There’s no way out except the way -in. It’s in an out-of-the way valley, rimmed by canyons, -hard by a little lake no bigger’n a tin cup. To -get there you back-pack over miles o’ rock so steep -it makes me dizzy to think of ’em.”</p> -<p>“But you found gold?” prompted War.</p> -<p>“Ay, we found it, and a heap o’ trouble. Here, let -me show you something.”</p> -<p>Abruptly Old Stony dug a polished nugget from -his pants pocket. Even in the poor lamplight, the -color of gold was there.</p> -<p>“Wow!” War exclaimed, breathing heavily. “That -makes my sample look like peanuts.”</p> -<p>“This nugget came from Headless Hollow?” Jack -asked, relishing the old man’s tale.</p> -<p>Stony sucked at his pipe as he carefully replaced -the metal in his wrinkled overalls.</p> -<p>Without answering, he resumed: “I was a young -fellow in those days, strong as an ox. If it wasn’t for -my bad heart and some other things, I’d go back -there now and make my fortune.”</p> -<p>“Where is this valley of gold?”</p> -<p>“I can’t tell you, son. But there are men who -would pay me well to know my secret.”</p> -<p>“If you found gold,” Jack asked, “why did you -leave the valley?”</p> -<p>“Don’t ask me that question, son. My past is my -own and, God willing, it will die with me.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_19">19</div> -<p>The old man turned suddenly in his rocking chair.</p> -<p>Unnoticed by the Explorers, a tall man in his -thirties, with a rock-like, expressionless face, had -come to the open doorway. Ignoring the Scouts, he -spoke directly to Stony.</p> -<p>“Crawl out, you lazy old buzzard! The man in No. -4 wants fresh towels.”</p> -<p>Stony got heavily from his chair. He made no -answer, but the sparkle of life had vanished from -his ruddy face.</p> -<p>Ill at ease, the Explorers started to leave. As if -by design, the motel owner walked with them a -short distance toward their camp.</p> -<p>“Old Stony spinning wild yarns again?” he demanded.</p> -<p>“He was telling us about striking gold when he -was a young man,” War volunteered.</p> -<p>“I suppose he let you into the secret of where -his precious map is hidden?”</p> -<p>“Why, no,” Jack spoke up. “Does he have a map?”</p> -<p>Jarrett Walz gave a snort. “That old goat is all -talk. Everything he has, even the clothes on his -back, comes from me. In exchange he gives me laziness -and lies!”</p> -<p>“Lies?”</p> -<p>“The old fool says I am after his gold. I figure he -was giving you a line of chatter when I came up.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_20">20</div> -<p>“You weren’t under discussion,” Jack said dryly.</p> -<p>“What did he tell you about his wonderful valley?”</p> -<p>“Not much.”</p> -<p>“Leaving tomorrow?”</p> -<p>“We expect to.”</p> -<p>“That’s okay, then.” The motel owner seemed -suddenly relieved. “If Old Stony bothers you again, -call me. Good night now, and good rest.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_21">21</div> -<h2 id="c2"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 2</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">TROUBLE IN CAMP</span></h2> -<p>Cold night air seeped through the tent walls. Jack -Hartwell stirred restlessly in his sleeping bag and -sat up. What had awakened him? Beside him, Ken -and Willie were dead to the world. All was quiet.</p> -<p>Annoyed at himself, Jack got up and opened the -tent flap. A few stars were winking, but otherwise -it was a dark night. It might be two A.M. or thereabouts, -he judged. There was no sign of anyone -around the camp, yet distinctly he sensed that something -was wrong.</p> -<p>It was not the first time Jack’s instincts had acted -as an alarm clock. The high school senior and Explorer -crew leader was gifted with high intelligence -and a certain intuition which had repeatedly saved -him or his friends from near disaster.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_22">22</div> -<p>Jack had proven himself the most valuable of the -Explorers during the exciting adventure trips to -South America which have been described in <i>The -Boy Scout Explorers at Treasure Mountain</i>, and <i>The -Boy Scout Explorers at Emerald Valley</i>. On this -particular occasion, only the four tried-and-true Explorers -had made the trip to Philmont Scout Ranch -at Cimarron, New Mexico. In Belton City, however, -they were associated with a large and active -troop.</p> -<p>As Jack stood shivering in the chill night air, his -ears picked up a disturbing sound. The noise, a -series of thuds, and a groan, seemed to come from -the direction of Old Stony’s cabin.</p> -<p>Jack did not hesitate. Diving back into the tent, -he reached for trousers and shoes. By this time, Ken -was awake and drowsily asked what was wrong.</p> -<p>“Something’s doing at Stony’s cabin,” Jack told -him tersely. “I’m going to find out about it.”</p> -<p>Ken came fully awake in a flash. Asking no further -questions, he too began to dress hurriedly. -Willie slumbered peacefully on.</p> -<p>Once dressed, Jack and Ken started at a fast trot -toward the cabin.</p> -<p>“What made you think anything’s wrong?” Ken -demanded.</p> -<p>Before Jack could tell him, they both saw a light -flash on and off in the cabin. Then the door opened, -and a man ran out. In the darkness, the two Explorers -gained only a general impression of someone -tall and shadowy. His face was turned away from -them, and he moved fast. They saw him dart past -the unlighted motel office and into an alley.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_23">23</div> -<p>“That wasn’t Old Stony!” Ken gasped.</p> -<p>“No!”</p> -<p>The Scouts crossed the driveway and shoved open -the cabin door. Jack found the light switch. As the -room became illuminated, he and Ken both stiffened -in horror.</p> -<p>Old Stony, his bed unmade, was sprawling on the -floor, bleeding from a forehead wound. The aged -man was moaning piteously. For just an instant Ken -and Jack thought he had suffered a stroke and fallen. -But the evidence convinced them otherwise. Even -if they had not seen the fleeing intruder, the condition -of the cabin would have told its graphic -story. Drawers had been overturned. Old Stony’s -few pathetic possessions were scattered on the bare -floor.</p> -<p>“Robbery,” was Jack’s only comment.</p> -<p>Without attempting to lift the old man from the -floor, they quickly examined his wound. It did not -seem deep. However, the old man was certainly in -a state of shock.</p> -<p>“Get Hap and our first-aid kit,” Jack directed Ken. -“Better call a doctor, too. Stony’s an old fellow, and -he has a heart condition.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_24">24</div> -<p>Ken hurried away. Left alone, Jack covered Stony -with a blanket and pillowed his head. He was turning -away to look for something he could use for a -temporary bandage, when the old man’s lips began -to move.</p> -<p>Jack bent closer. “Who was it that hit you?” he -asked.</p> -<p>“Don’t know,” the old fellow mumbled. “Woke -up—the skunk was pawing through my things. I -yelled at him, and then he hit me on the skull. Last -I knew for a while.”</p> -<p>“You didn’t see his face?”</p> -<p>“No,” Old Stony admitted in disgust.</p> -<p>“Whoever it was must have meant to rob you.”</p> -<p>“The thieving rascal was after my gold and the -map.”</p> -<p>Over Jack’s protests, Old Stony raised himself up -on an elbow. His gaze raked the entire cabin from -the fireplace to the bed. What he saw seemed to -satisfy him, for he gave a feeble, throaty chuckle.</p> -<p>“The skunk didn’t get what he was after! Old -Stony is nobody’s fool. Young fellow, if you’ll help -me, I’ll get back into bed.”</p> -<p>“You shouldn’t move,” Jack warned him. “The -doctor will be here in a few minutes.”</p> -<p>“Doctor, fiddlesticks! It takes more’n a little tap -on the head to knock out Old Stony.”</p> -<p>Because the aged man was not to be denied, Jack -helped him into bed, but he was alarmed at the -prospector’s pallor and weakness.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_25">25</div> -<p>“I’m all right,” Stony mumbled. “Thank you, -son.”</p> -<p>It was increasingly clear to Jack that the old man -was not all right, so he was greatly relieved when -Ken came back with Mr. Livingston, Willie, and -War.</p> -<p>One glance at the man on the bed, and the Scout -leader drew Ken aside.</p> -<p>“He seems to be in bad shape,” he said. “Go for -a doctor, and tell him to hurry.”</p> -<p>While Ken was carrying out the order, the other -Scouts dressed Stony’s wound. He made no further -attempt to talk, but now and then managed to grin -at them in a feeble way.</p> -<p>Jack and Willie made a fast tour of the motel -grounds. However, it did not surprise them that they -found no trace of the man who had so brutally -attacked the cabin dweller.</p> -<p>“Whoever he is, he’ll be a mile from here by -now,” Jack remarked as they walked back. “No -question about it, theft was the motive.”</p> -<p>“The old man’s gold and map?”</p> -<p>“Right.”</p> -<p>“You think there is any gold?” Willie asked skeptically.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_26">26</div> -<p>“Last night I didn’t,” Jack replied thoughtfully. -“Now I’m not so sure. Old Stony certainly acted as -if he had something valuable hidden in the cabin, -and apparently it’s still there.”</p> -<p>“The thief was probably frightened away before -he finished his search.”</p> -<p>“Either that, or he was scared, Willie. He may -have hit Old Stony harder than he intended.”</p> -<p>Back in the cabin the boys found that Jarrett -Walz had come from his nearby home to check on -the activity. Informed by Mr. Livingston as to what -had happened, he made no attempt to hide his -annoyance.</p> -<p>“Now I suppose Stony will insist on lying in bed -for a week!” he snapped.</p> -<p>“That’s for the doctor to decide,” Mr. Livingston -rejoined.</p> -<p>“You’ve sent for a doctor?” the motel owner fairly -screamed.</p> -<p>“We have.”</p> -<p>“And I’m to pay the bill?”</p> -<p>“It would be a humanitarian thing to do. Stony -needs a doctor. No question about that.”</p> -<p>For the first time, Mr. Walz seemed concerned -about his worker’s condition. He went over to the -bed, peering intently at the colorless face. After a -moment, he turned away and made no further protest -about the doctor.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_27">27</div> -<p>It was twenty minutes later when Dr. James Alcott -reached the cabin. He checked Stony’s heart, -examined the wound, and then told Mr. Walz to call -an ambulance.</p> -<p>“An ambulance?” the motel owner repeated. “You -don’t mean he’s bad off? Just from that little tap -on the head?”</p> -<p>“It was a hard blow,” the doctor corrected him. -“At the hospital we’ll take X-rays to see if there is -a skull fracture. I rather doubt it, but in any case -this man needs careful attention. How old is he?”</p> -<p>“Eighty-two,” Walz said. “At least, that’s what he -claims.”</p> -<p>“He has a serious heart condition. At his age, a -shock such as this could be very hard on him.”</p> -<p>“Doc, you don’t think he’ll die?” Walz gasped.</p> -<p>“His good physique is in his favor. I’d suggest, -though, that you lose no time getting in touch with -relatives.”</p> -<p>“Relatives? He has none that I ever heard of.”</p> -<p>The motel owner was plainly worried. Nervously, -he paced back and forth in the cabin, not offering to -help when Jack and Ken gathered together the few -things which Stony would need at the hospital.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_28">28</div> -<p>It was 3:30 A.M. by War’s watch when an ambulance -pulled into the parking lot. Two attendants -with a stretcher efficiently transferred Stony from his -bed to their vehicle. Jarrett Walz did not offer to -ride in the ambulance. Unwilling to see the old man -taken without anyone to sit by him, Jack and Ken -climbed in. Mr. Livingston, War, and Willie followed -the ambulance in their own car.</p> -<p>At the hospital, matters were taken from the -Scouts’ hands. Old Stony was passed through emergency -and given a ward bed. Meanwhile, Mr. -Livingston signed papers at the hospital office and -provided what little information he could about the -attack.</p> -<p>“Walz should have come along,” the Scout leader -remarked to Jack. “I figure he stayed away for fear -he’d be hooked on the bill. How is Stony?”</p> -<p>“No report yet,” Jack replied. “But when I looked -in on him a minute ago, he was resting comfortably.”</p> -<p>“He didn’t tell you anything more about his attacker?”</p> -<p>“Stony didn’t say a word. In fact, he hardly -recognized me.”</p> -<p>With a shake of his head, Mr. Livingston indicated -that the information was disturbing. After a -moment, he said: “Well, round up Warwick, Willie, -and Ken. We’ve done everything we can for the -poor old fellow. May as well get back to camp and -try to catch a few winks before dawn.”</p> -<p>In sober silence the Scouts drove back to the -motel. A light was on—in the front office, but Mr. -Walz was not there.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_29">29</div> -<p>“There’s a light in Stony’s cabin, too,” Jack noted -as the car turned into the driveway. “That’s funny! -I distinctly recall turning it off after everyone left.”</p> -<p>“That’s right, you did!” Ken exclaimed.</p> -<p>No one spoke for a moment as the same thought -occurred to all: Stony’s mysterious attacker might -have returned!</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston stopped the car and switched off -the ignition.</p> -<p>“Come on, boys,” he said grimly, heading for the -cabin. “We’ll find out about this!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_30">30</div> -<h2 id="c3"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 3</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">THE TREASURE MAP</span></h2> -<p>At the doorway of Old Stony’s cabin, Mr. Livingston -and the Scouts halted. Inside, crouching on -the floor, a man was riffling through a box of papers, -evidently pulled from beneath the bed.</p> -<p>It was Jarrett Walz.</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston coughed. At once the motel owner -whirled around. Caught by surprise, he lost his -balance and collapsed awkwardly on the floor.</p> -<p>“Oh, back already?” he asked.</p> -<p>“We didn’t expect to find you here,” Mr. Livingston -said pointedly.</p> -<p>Mr. Walz got to his feet. He shoved the box of -papers back under the bed and said, “I was just -looking through some of poor Old Stony’s junk.”</p> -<p>“So we noticed,” the Scout leader answered dryly. -“Find what you were after?”</p> -<p>Walz gave him a quick, suspicious look. He said -evenly, “I was trying to find the names of any relatives -Old Stony may have.”</p> -<p>“Any luck?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_31">31</div> -<p>“None.”</p> -<p>“Not a single clue?” Jack interposed dubiously. -“Old Stony must have had a few friends.”</p> -<p>“No one—unless maybe you could say he kept up -a writing acquaintance with Craig Warner.”</p> -<p>“Who’s he?”</p> -<p>The motel owner shrugged. “Someone he wrote -to in Colorado. A casual acquaintance, I guess.”</p> -<p>“Stony didn’t seem the type to bother with trivial -friendships,” Jack commented. “Did he come from -Colorado?”</p> -<p>“Stony must have told you that much himself,” -Walz retorted, making no attempt to hide his growing -distaste for the conversation.</p> -<p>“We don’t mean to be inquisitive,” interposed Mr. -Livingston smoothly. “However, it’s rather important -to know something of Stony’s past. What was -his last name?”</p> -<p>“Who knows? When he came here, he told me his -name was John Stone. That’s how he got his nickname, -Old Stony. Later, he said his name was -Adams. And once he told me it was Pickering. So -take your choice.”</p> -<p>“He must have had something to hide.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_32">32</div> -<p>“Old Stony ran away from a past. I suspected -that when I hired him.” Walz laughed without -mirth. “He was afraid to set foot over the Colorado -line, so I figured he was wanted for something in -that state.”</p> -<p>“He kept it a secret?”</p> -<p>“Old Stony never told me anything. Nothing, that -is, except wild yarns. The truth is, he disliked me -and was ungrateful for all I did to help him.”</p> -<p>“Well, he’s in a bad spot at the moment,” Mr. -Livingston said. “Any idea who might have attacked -him?”</p> -<p>“Not the slightest.”</p> -<p>“The motive?”</p> -<p>“Oh, I figure some hoodlum put faith in Stony’s -story of having gold or a map to a gold mine. Trouble -with him, he couldn’t keep his lips from wagging. -He invited the attack.”</p> -<p>“You’ve reported it to the police?”</p> -<p>Walz frowned. “Why, no. Figured it was none of -their business.”</p> -<p>“It’s customary, isn’t it, to report an assault and -an attempted theft?”</p> -<p>“Not in Rocking Horse it isn’t,” Walz said shortly. -“A police investigation here wouldn’t mean a thing. -Far as I’m concerned, Stony will have to do the -reporting, if any is done.”</p> -<p>“That may not be possible.”</p> -<p>“Oh, he’ll snap out of it,” Walz said carelessly. -“That old boy has a constitution like iron.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_33">33</div> -<p>“I hope you’re right. Just what can you tell us -about Stony?”</p> -<p>Walz edged toward the door. Plainly, he wanted -to put an end to the questions. But he replied: “I -told you about all I know. He drifted into this town -like a tumbleweed some years ago. I gave him a -job—his board and room in return for looking after -the cabins.”</p> -<p>“He never told you much about himself?” Ken -inquired.</p> -<p>“Oh, he talked enough, but always he handed out -lies. The old coot was suspicious by nature. Why, -he became obsessed with the idea I wanted to rob -him of his gold and the map!”</p> -<p>“He did show us a nugget last night,” War said. -“A big one.”</p> -<p>“Oh, that!”</p> -<p>“Wasn’t it real gold?” War asked in disappointment.</p> -<p>“It’s gold, all right. But you can bet Old Stony -never dug it from a mine or washed it from a creek.”</p> -<p>“By the way, I wonder what became of that -nugget?” Jack asked. “Old Stony had it wrapped -in a handkerchief last night.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_34">34</div> -<p>“I have the nugget.” Walz made the admission -half defiantly. “Old Stony sets great store by it. I -figured I’d better take it before someone went off -with it. Tomorrow I’ll drop it around to him at the -hospital.”</p> -<p>The Scouts had their own opinion of the motel -owner’s motive in taking the nugget. However, they -could not accuse him.</p> -<p>Jack did say, “Find any other nuggets?”</p> -<p>“Nothing.” Walz pushed past him, through the -open door. “Excuse me, now. I’ve had a hard night -and I’m turning in.” He started away, only to halt. -“You’re leaving today?”</p> -<p>“We expect to,” Mr. Livingston returned.</p> -<p>“Well, have a good trip,” Walz said, with a show -of friendliness.</p> -<p>The Scouts waited outside the cabin until the -motel owner was beyond view. Then Willie remarked -that Walz had neglected to lock the -door.</p> -<p>“That indicates he’s gone through poor Old Stony’s -possessions from A to Z,” Jack declared. “He’s -satisfied there’s nothing of value here.”</p> -<p>“Even so, it would do no harm to look around -ourselves,” War proposed. “Walz could have missed -something.”</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston vetoed the suggestion. “No, War. -This is Stony’s cabin. It ought to be locked.”</p> -<p>“Let’s all get to bed,” Willie urged. “Look at the -horizon. It’s nearly dawn.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_35">35</div> -<p>After a bit of debate, the Scouts decided to try -to catch an hour of sleep before breaking camp. -Accordingly, forgetting the unlocked cabin door, -they retired to their tents. Everyone slept soundly.</p> -<p>When Jack finally opened his eyes, a hot sun -was beating down on the canvas. He was alone in -the tent. Peering out, he sniffed the aroma of frying -eggs. The others were up ahead of him.</p> -<p>“Gosh, am I lazy!” he exclaimed. “What time is -it?”</p> -<p>“Ten to nine,” Willie told him as he turned the -eggs. “You were sleeping like a babe, so we didn’t -call you.”</p> -<p>Jack quickly dressed and helped Mr. Livingston -strike and pack the two tents. By that time Willie -had breakfast ready to serve.</p> -<p>“We’re making a late start,” the Scout leader said, -looking ruefully at his watch. “But we all needed -sleep. Last night was rough.”</p> -<p>“Wonder how Old Stony is getting along?” Jack -speculated. “Any word?”</p> -<p>“I went up to the office to inquire,” Ken replied. -“The place was locked up. No sign of Walz. He’s -probably still in bed.”</p> -<p>“I sort of hate to pull out of here without knowing -Stony’s okay.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_36">36</div> -<p>“Sure, we all do,” Ken agreed soberly. “After -we’re packed and ready to hit the road, what say -we stop somewhere to telephone the hospital?”</p> -<p>“Good idea,” Mr. Livingston approved. “I was -going to suggest it myself.”</p> -<p>In short order the Scouts finished breakfast, disposed -of the garbage, and put out their fire. Soon -the car was packed ready for their departure.</p> -<p>“Well, we’re leaving the camp cleaner than we -found it,” Ken said, making a last careful survey -before they pulled out.</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston turned the car around on the lot -and started to drive past the office. Before he could -do so, a man came across the street from a drugstore -and signaled for the car to stop.</p> -<p>As Mr. Livingston pulled up, the stranger said: -“The hospital just called.”</p> -<p>“About Stony?”</p> -<p>“Yes, the motel office seems to be closed. So they -called my place.”</p> -<p>“How is he?” Mr. Livingston inquired.</p> -<p>“He’s taken a turn for the worse.”</p> -<p>“You’ve told Walz?”</p> -<p>The man from the drugstore shook his head. “Old -Stony doesn’t want to see Walz. It’s you folks he’s -asking for. If you can, go right away, or it may be -too late.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_37">37</div> -<h2 id="c4"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 4</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">A BAG OF BEANS</span></h2> -<p>In the corridor of Memorial Hospital, Doctor Alcott -confirmed the information the Scouts had been -given—Old Stony had suffered a heart attack and -was not expected to live.</p> -<p>“Is he still conscious?” Mr. Livingston asked.</p> -<p>“Yes, and his mind remains alert. He has been asking -repeatedly for the Scouts. That’s why we sent -for you. Sorry to bother you, but it seems to mean a -lot to the old man. Something appears to be on his -mind.”</p> -<p>“I’m glad you did call,” Mr. Livingston replied. -“May we go in now?”</p> -<p>“Yes, but it would be better if only two of you see -him, and don’t stay long.”</p> -<p>Accordingly, while the others waited in the downstairs -lobby, Hap and Jack followed a nurse into the -ward. A screen had been set up at Old Stony’s bed -to provide a measure of privacy.</p> -<p>As Mr. Livingston and Jack paused beside him, -the old fellow opened his eyes and managed to grin -feebly.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_38">38</div> -<p>“How are you feeling?” Jack asked, because he -could think of nothing else to say.</p> -<p>“Not so hot,” Old Stony returned. His bloodless -fingers plucked at the sheet. “Reckon I’m about -ready to mount my pale white horse and ride to the -last roundup.”</p> -<p>“Not at all,” Mr. Livingston tried to reassure him. -“In a few days you’ll snap out of this. There’s fighting -spirit in you, Stony.”</p> -<p>“Ah, there’s fight, but the old ticker’s getting -mighty tired.”</p> -<p>Stony closed his eyes and for several minutes -seemed almost to forget his visitors. They were debating -whether or not to slip away quietly, when -he aroused himself again.</p> -<p>“Pull up your chairs and listen close,” he said. -“I’ve got to tell you something important.”</p> -<p>“Are you sure you feel strong enough to talk?” -Mr. Livingston inquired doubtfully, as he and Jack -brought their chairs to the bedside.</p> -<p>“Fiddlesticks! If it takes my last breath, I have -to get this off my chest. Now, listen close, because -I’m winding up to tell you the true story o’ why I -never went back to Colorado to live on my hard-earned -gold.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_39">39</div> -<p>Jack and Hap exchanged a quick glance. Would -the old man tell them another wild tale, they wondered? -Or would this story, in all probability his -last, be a true one?</p> -<p>“Don’t be wasting time trying to find any of my -family after I’ve kicked off.”</p> -<p>“You have no relatives?”</p> -<p>“Nary a chick.”</p> -<p>“How about your friend in Colorado?” Jack suggested. -“I think Jarrett Walz said his name was -Craig Warner.”</p> -<p>Old Stony rolled his head on the pillow. “That -snooping rascal!” he muttered. “He’s been in my -things since they carted me off here!”</p> -<p>“I’m afraid he has,” Mr. Livingston admitted. -Fearful of agitating the old man, he did not tell him -the extent to which the motel owner had gone -through his personal papers.</p> -<p>“Craig Warner isn’t exactly my friend,” Old Stony -said slowly. “Reckon he’d hate me if he knew the -truth.”</p> -<p>“You write to him sometimes?” Mr. Livingston -suggested.</p> -<p>“Now and then I scratch him a line. I’m not much -on writing, and he isn’t much on answering. Haven’t -heard from him in more’n three years now.”</p> -<p>“If he’s not a friend, why write?” Jack asked, -puzzled.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_40">40</div> -<p>“It’s because of my past. Craig doesn’t know this—he -thinks I’m Hank Stone, a screwball prospector. -That’s the way I want it. But the reason I kept in -touch all these years is because he’s the only son -o’ my old podner, John Warner.”</p> -<p>The effort of talking had tired Old Stony. He -lay a while with eyes closed and then continued.</p> -<p>“I’m not one to deal from the bottom of a deck. -I’m honest, I am. That’s why I’ve never trusted -Jarrett Walz. Maybe I’m being unfair. He gave me -a job, and for that I’m grateful. But I’d never trust -him with my secret.”</p> -<p>“About the gold?” Jack prodded.</p> -<p>Old Stony nodded. “I’ll start at the beginning,” -he went on. “’Twas back in the early 1900’s. I don’t -exactly recollect the date. My podner, John Warner, -and I got ourselves enough grub to last three months. -Then we hit for the valley we later named Headless -Hollow.”</p> -<p>“Where was it?” Mr. Livingston asked. “West of -Denver?”</p> -<p>“Ay, it’s hard by a mountain where even to this -day gold has never been struck—at least, word of -it hasn’t hit the papers.”</p> -<p>“Most of the old gold fields are known—” Mr. -Livingston started to say.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_41">41</div> -<p>The old man broke in: “Headless Valley is hard -to get at. The vein my podner and I found is rich, -but it isn’t extensive enough to make it worth while -hauling in expensive mining equipment. So I reckon -engineers have given it the go-by.”</p> -<p>“But you and your partner really found gold -there?” Jack asked, rather impressed.</p> -<p>“We sure did. And then our troubles began. All -that summer we worked till our hands were blistered. -We stacked the ore in two caches—one big -and one little. Our food began to run low. We knew -we had to get out fast before winter set in, but the -gold held us. And then—”</p> -<p>Old Stony shuddered and seemed unable to go on. -But with an effort, he forced himself to resume:</p> -<p>“So far as we knew, there weren’t any human -beings within forty miles of Headless Valley. We -never set eyes on a soul all that summer. But one -morning my podner showed up missing. I found him -by the diggings, dead with a bullet hole through -the back of his head.”</p> -<p>“What did you do?” Jack asked, becoming more -engrossed.</p> -<p>“I buried him not far from the little cabin we had -built. Marked the grave with his name too.”</p> -<p>“Who killed John Warner?” Mr. Livingston asked.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_42">42</div> -<p>“All these years I’ve been asking myself that same -question. Indians, I reckon. Maybe Headless Hollow -was sacred ground to ’em, and they didn’t like us -messing around.”</p> -<p>“The killing wasn’t because of the gold?”</p> -<p>“Reckon not,” Old Stony replied to the Scout -leader’s inquiry. “Nary a nugget was touched. I’m -telling you, after poor John got his, I was plumb -scared. I couldn’t see anybody around, but I could -feel ’em. Sort o’ like ghosts.”</p> -<p>“Ghosts don’t fire shots,” Mr. Livingston said -dryly.</p> -<p>“Danged right they don’t! I figured I’d be next -if I didn’t light out o’ there. I took a few of the -nuggets that I could carry in a bag and hit the trail. -Doggone near froze to death before I finally got -back to the nearest town.”</p> -<p>“You left the hidden gold?” Jack asked.</p> -<p>“Yeah, and I reckon it’s still there today. At least, -I don’t think those caches would ever be found, -unless by somebody who was watching us, or by -Indians.”</p> -<p>“Why didn’t you go back later?” Mr. Livingston -asked.</p> -<p>Old Stony heaved a heavy sigh. “Figured you’d -ask me that one. Reckon I’ve got to answer true. -When I got back—well, folks began whispering that -I was the one that did for poor old John. They -said I shot him so I could have the claim all to myself.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_43">43</div> -<p>“Didn’t other prospectors try to find Headless -Hollow?” Mr. Livingston asked thoughtfully. “It’s -inconceivable that your arrival with gold wouldn’t -set off a mad scramble.”</p> -<p>“I fooled ’em. Told ’em a mess of lies that led ’em -packing in the wrong direction.” Old Stony grinned -at the recollection. “They sure were burned up! So -to even the score, they got out a warrant charging -me with poor John’s murder. That was when I lit -out.”</p> -<p>“You left Colorado?” Jack prompted.</p> -<p>“I sure did. First I went to California and lost my -grubstake there. Then I drifted back to Arizona, -then on here to New Mexico. Always figured some -day I’d go back to Headless Hollow. But the years -came on too fast, and before I knew it, I was an -old man and my last chance was gone.”</p> -<p>By this time, Jack and Mr. Livingston were convinced -that Stony’s story was at least half truth. As -for his gold, they were of the opinion that the one -hoarded nugget that Walz had must have represented -his entire fortune.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_44">44</div> -<p>Therefore, it came as a surprise when the old man -went on: “Now I’m coming to the kernel o’ the nut. -I reckon I owe poor old John a debt. Half of that -gold I took out of Headless Hollow I figured was his. -I’ve kept that half—never touched it, even when I -didn’t know where my next mouthful of meat was -coming from. Now I want that gold to go to John’s -son, Craig Warner.”</p> -<p>Jack and Mr. Livingston began to catch the drift -of Stony’s thoughts, so they were not too surprised -at his request which came haltingly.</p> -<p>“Reckon it’s a lot to ask o’ strangers—but I have -no one I can trust. I’m asking you—after I’m gone—will -you get word to Craig Warner? Take him the -map—the one that shows the true trail to Headless -Hollow and the caches of gold. They’re his by rights, -and I want him to have ’em.”</p> -<p>“Where is this map?” Mr. Livingston asked, trying -not to show that the strange request troubled him.</p> -<p>Old Stony leaned over to the edge of the bed, -lowering his voice to a whisper.</p> -<p>“You’ll find it under the stones—fireplace—my -cabin.”</p> -<p>“We’ll be glad to look,” Mr. Livingston promised. -“Where are we to find Craig Warner?”</p> -<p>“His address is in my box of papers—under the -bed.”</p> -<p>The lengthy conversation had greatly wearied Old -Stony but, when Jack and Mr. Livingston started -to leave, with a feeble gesture of his hand the prospector -waved them back.</p> -<p>“Just one thing more,” he said, his voice husky. -“The gold—Craig Warner’s share—you’ll find it—”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_45">45</div> -<p>A nurse had come to the bedside. With a quick -glance at the patient, she told the two visitors they -had to leave at once.</p> -<p>Old Stony summoned all his failing strength. Gazing -steadily at Jack and Hap, he said clearly: “The -bag of pinto beans. The bag of beans. You understand?”</p> -<p>To satisfy the dying old man, the two visitors -nodded. Stony fell back on the pillow, a smile on his -thin lips.</p> -<p>“I’ve said my piece,” he whispered. “Now I’m -ready for the long trip over the range. God be with -you.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_46">46</div> -<h2 id="c5"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 5</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">THE SEARCH</span></h2> -<p>The nurse motioned for Jack and Mr. Livingston -to leave.</p> -<p>“Goodbye, Stony,” Jack said, reaching out to grasp -the gnarled hand in a last farewell.</p> -<p>The old man’s lips twitched slightly, but his -closed eyes did not open. Jack and Mr. Livingston -quietly departed.</p> -<p>“I’m afraid we’ll never see the old fellow again,” -the Scout leader said with a shake of his head.</p> -<p>Jack asked Hap what he thought of the story the -old prospector had told.</p> -<p>“I don’t rightly know,” he replied. “Stony seemed -to be telling the truth. It’s fantastic—and yet it’s -possible that Headless Hollow may actually exist.”</p> -<p>War, Willie, and Ken were impatiently waiting -in the hospital lobby. Eagerly, the trio plied Jack -and their leader with questions. With deep interest, -they listened to Hap’s report of the talk with Old -Stony.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_47">47</div> -<p>“What’s our move, now?” Ken asked. “Do we -pull out of Rocking Horse or drive back to the motel?”</p> -<p>“Back to the motel,” Hap decided. “Jack and I -made a promise to Stony. We must at least make an -attempt to get Craig Warner’s address and notify -him.”</p> -<p>“What about the map?” War demanded.</p> -<p>“Oh, we might make a brief search for that too,” -the Scout leader said with a grin at War’s eagerness.</p> -<p>“What did Stony say about gold nuggets being -hidden in a bag of pinto beans?” War went on. “And -what are pinto beans?”</p> -<p>“Pinto means mottled, doesn’t it?” Jack recollected. -“Stony must have meant some kind of fancy, -painted bean. And that reminds me! I did see a bag -of something hanging on the wall!”</p> -<p>“That’s right!” agreed Ken. “On a hook near the -fireplace.”</p> -<p>“After Stony had been struck, he raised up and -looked directly at that bag!” Jack added. “He seemed -relieved that it was still there.”</p> -<p>“Well, if ever Old Stony had any valuables, it’s -a cinch Jarrett Walz has them by now,” Willie contributed -as the group left the hospital. “Are we telling -him about our talk with the old man?”</p> -<p>“I think not,” Mr. Livingston decided. “Stony -entrusted a secret to us. Let’s keep it a secret.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_48">48</div> -<p>The Scouts had hoped to return to the motel without -meeting Walz again, but in this they were disappointed. -As their heavily laden car turned into the -driveway, the motel owner came out of his office. -His scowl told them that their unexpected return -did not please him.</p> -<p>However, he merely said: “Back so soon?”</p> -<p>“We ran into complications,” Mr. Livingston rejoined, -without explaining about the hospital trip.</p> -<p>Evidently, Walz had not learned that the Scouts -had gone to Old Stony’s bedside, for he continued: -“You’re not figuring on staying here another night?”</p> -<p>“Well, we might,” the Scout leader replied. “It -all depends. You don’t object, do you?”</p> -<p>“Object? Why should I? Not if you pay your camp -fee. I’d think, though, that you’d want to hit the -road. There’s nothing of interest to see in or around -Rocking Horse.”</p> -<p>“We like the place,” Jack said. “I vote to stay -another day.”</p> -<p>“Same here,” chimed in Willie.</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston dug into his wallet and handed -the motel owner two dollars. For a moment, the -Scouts thought Walz intended to refuse, but with -a shrug he pocketed the bills and told them to go -back to their former camp site.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_49">49</div> -<p>The Scouts busied themselves setting up the tents. -They had no intention of visiting Stony’s cabin -while Jarrett Walz was near.</p> -<p>“Keep an eye on the motel office,” Jack advised -Willie. “If he leaves, that’s our cue to go to -work.”</p> -<p>But Walz did not leave, and the Scouts began to -grow restless. Finally, Ken and Jack, without entering -the cabin, began to inspect the ground outside. -Without much hope of finding anything significant, -they searched for a clue to the identity of Stony’s -mysterious attacker. Almost at once, Jarrett Walz -came out of the motel office. His sudden appearance -made it clear he had been watching them all the -while.</p> -<p>“What are you boys doing?” he demanded.</p> -<p>“Thought we might find a few footprints,” Jack replied -carelessly.</p> -<p>He stooped to inspect a large shoe imprint in a -moist spot of earth not far from the cabin door.</p> -<p>“That’s from my boot,” Walz informed him.</p> -<p>“Yes, it is,” Jack agreed, noticing that the heel -print was identical with one made by the shoe Walz -wore.</p> -<p>“Those prints don’t mean a thing. I’ve been in and -out of that cabin several times this morning. Fancy -yourselves detectives, eh?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_50">50</div> -<p>“No,” Ken told him evenly, “but we’d like to find -out who attacked Stony. You reported the affair to -the police?”</p> -<p>“The police were out here this morning. Reckon -they heard about it from the hospital.”</p> -<p>“Any suspects?”</p> -<p>“Not a one. Police are satisfied the motive was -robbery. Probably some hoodlum who met Stony -was taken in by his story of having great wealth.”</p> -<p>“You’re satisfied it was only a yarn?” Jack asked, -watching the motel owner’s face intently.</p> -<p>“About the gold? Sure. He had only that one nugget.”</p> -<p>“And the map?”</p> -<p>Walz eyed Jack shrewdly. “Well, the old goat -might have had a map,” he conceded. “If so, he hid -it in a good place. He didn’t give you any hints, did -he?”</p> -<p>“Hints?” Jack repeated, stalling for time. He had -no intention of disclosing his knowledge to the motel -owner.</p> -<p>“Say, what about this fellow Craig Warner?” Ken -interposed, to distract Walz from the treasure map. -“Do you know where he lives?”</p> -<p>“On some ranch in Colorado. That’s all I can tell -you.”</p> -<p>“You didn’t find his address in those papers under -the bed?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_51">51</div> -<p>“No,” Walz answered shortly.</p> -<p>He might have added more, but just then a call -came from the motel office. Walz was gone about -ten minutes. When he returned, his face was grim.</p> -<p>“That was a telephone message from the hospital,” -he reported. “Stony’s—dead.”</p> -<p>Ken and Jack accepted the information in silence. -Though the sad news was not unexpected, it gave -them both an empty feeling to know that the old -fellow had indeed mounted his pale pony and ridden -to the Last Roundup.</p> -<p>“I’ve got to go to the hospital now,” Walz went -on, looking worried. “Arrangements have to be made -for the burial. I’d let the county do it, but folks -would talk. So I’ll dig down into my pocket, I suppose.”</p> -<p>The Scouts did not reply. After a while, Walz -went to his car and they saw him drive away.</p> -<p>“Now’s our chance!” Ken suggested. “I don’t like -to do anything sneaky, but it’s just as well Old -Eagle Eye doesn’t know what we’re about.”</p> -<p>“Now that poor Old Stony is gone, it’s even more -important we find that map and Craig Warner’s address,” -Jack added.</p> -<p>Ken went for Mr. Livingston and the other Scouts. -The cabin door had not been locked.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_52">52</div> -<p>Once inside, the group turned to the box of papers -under the bed. The collection of letters was pathetically -small. There were two notes written by a -woman who signed herself Sadie, but the dates -were so far back, that even had there been an address, -she would probably have no longer been alive.</p> -<p>The Scouts could find no letters from Craig Warner. -They were about to give up the search when -Willie came upon the man’s address written in a -tiny notebook with yellowed pages.</p> -<p>“Craig Warner, Red Cliffs Ranch, Elks Creek, -Colorado,” he read aloud. Mr. Livingston wrote -down the address and then the Scouts turned their -attention to the search for gold and the treasure -map. The bag of pinto beans had been removed from -the wall hook. However, Jack came upon it in a -corner of the room.</p> -<p>“That bag was hanging on the wall last night,” -he commented. “I hope Jarrett Walz hasn’t been -ahead of us.”</p> -<p>As Jack emptied the colored beans onto the bed, -the Scouts gathered around. But the sight was disappointing. -The bag contained nothing but beans.</p> -<p>“Not a single nugget,” War said in disgust. “Old -Stony must have been handing us a line!”</p> -<p>“Not necessarily,” Jack replied, refilling the bag -and returning it to its former place on the wall hook. -“Last night or this morning after Stony was taken -to the hospital, someone moved this bag.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_53">53</div> -<p>“Walz?” Willie asked.</p> -<p>“Could be. Of course, the cabin door has been -unlocked, so maybe it’s not fair to accuse him.”</p> -<p>“It will be a waste of time even looking for the -map,” Willie said.</p> -<p>The others were inclined to agree with him. However, -no one would have willingly left the cabin -without making the search.</p> -<p>Jack and Ken dropped on hands and knees before -the fireplace. Raking away some of the loose, -cold ashes, they began to explore the hearthstones.</p> -<p>To their surprise they hit one which moved a trifle.</p> -<p>Jack pried it up with his knife. Beneath the stone -lay a yellowed paper, tightly folded.</p> -<p>“The map!” he chortled. “Old Stony’s story may -be true!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_54">54</div> -<h2 id="c6"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 6</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">THE THREAT</span></h2> -<p>The Explorers and Mr. Livingston clustered close -to Jack, peering at the paper he had found under the -hearthstones. Carefully, he spread the yellowed -sheet on the cabin floor.</p> -<p>“It’s a map, all right,” Ken confirmed, studying it -over Jack’s shoulder. “A rough one, though. And -the ink has faded.”</p> -<p>The area on the map appeared to be in the most -rugged section of the Colorado Rockies, west of -Denver and toward the southwest portion of the -state. So far as the Scouts could determine, the take-off -point for Old Stony’s Headless Hollow was a little -town which had been mapped in as Buckhorn. Other -landmarks were Cinnamon Pass and Superstition -Canyon. Headless Hollow itself seemed guarded by -twin mountain peaks, unnamed in the sketch.</p> -<p>“Well, it’s a map,” Mr. Livingston conceded. -“That’s about all you can say for it.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_55">55</div> -<p>“Nothing is drawn in proportion,” Willie complained. -“Most of the directions for reaching Headless -Hollow—if there is such a place—must have been -in Old Stony’s head.”</p> -<p>“It’s my bet he purposely made it vague,” said -Jack.</p> -<p>“Probably wanted to fix it so that nobody stealing -the map could have reached the valley too easily,” -Ken agreed.</p> -<p>The Scouts politely waited for Mr. Livingston to -offer his opinion.</p> -<p>“We more or less made Old Stony a promise,” he -reminded the group. “So whether or not this map -has value, it’s our duty to deliver it to Craig Warner -if we can find him.”</p> -<p>“That may not be so easy,” remarked Jack. “Stony’s -information isn’t very up to date. Elks Creek may or -may not be a recent address.”</p> -<p>“In any case—” Happy started to say.</p> -<p>“Watch it,” Jack warned in an undertone.</p> -<p>Quick as a flash, he scooped the map from the -floor, thrusting it under his jacket.</p> -<p>The reason for his action was immediately apparent. -Footsteps had been heard on the gravel -driveway outside the cabin. Before the Scouts could -move away from the fireplace, Jarrett Walz loomed -on the threshold. His suspicious glance roved from -one face to another, but the Scouts volunteered no -explanation for their presence in the cabin.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_56">56</div> -<p>He said sharply: “Well! I hardly expected to find -you here!”</p> -<p>“We weren’t looking for you back so soon,” Willie -stammered.</p> -<p>“That’s quite obvious. What are you doing here?”</p> -<p>“No harm, I assure you,” Mr. Livingston said. “To -be quite truthful, we promised Old Stony that if -anything happened to him, we’d try to get in touch -with someone he knew.”</p> -<p>“Craig Warner?”</p> -<p>“Yes.”</p> -<p>“Looking after Stony’s affairs is my job, not yours,” -the motel owner said, his dark eyes snapping.</p> -<p>“We’re not trying to intervene, we assure you.”</p> -<p>“You had no business seeing my workman in the -hospital!” Jarrett Walz continued, his voice rising. -“Oh, you kept quiet about your visit there, but I -learned of it, all the same!”</p> -<p>“We made no secret of our trip,” Mr. Livingston -replied. He was trying to remain polite, but the -motel owner’s belligerent attitude annoyed him.</p> -<p>“That’s so,” War chimed in, glaring at Walz. “We -went because the old man sent for us.”</p> -<p>“He sent for you?” the motel owner repeated, his -eyes glittering. “Why?”</p> -<p>War had told more than he intended. He began -to stall: “Well, the old fellow was dying. He just -wanted to see us.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_57">57</div> -<p>“About what?”</p> -<p>“Just to see us.”</p> -<p>“You must think me very stupid to accept that! -Why shouldn’t he have sent for me? Here I’ve given -him bed and board, but in his last hour, he turns -to five utter strangers! Folks in Rocking Horse will -say—”</p> -<p>“Yes?” Mr. Livingston prompted, as the motel -owner interrupted himself.</p> -<p>“They’ll say Old Stony was ungrateful,” Mr. Walz -completed. “And he was!”</p> -<p>From the shifty look of the motel operator’s eyes, -the Scouts judged that he had checked himself on -the verge of saying something entirely different. -Though they had no evidence, it struck them that -in all probability over the years Jarrett Walz had -profited quite handsomely from the old prospector’s -unpaid labor.</p> -<p>“Any information on Stony’s attacker?” Mr. Livingston -inquired.</p> -<p>“No. I talked briefly with a police officer at the -hospital. Stony died from a heart attack, not the -results of the blow.”</p> -<p>“So there will be no investigation?”</p> -<p>“Oh, a routine one,” Jarrett Walz answered with -a shrug, “but whoever slugged Stony probably -hopped a train and blew out of town.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_58">58</div> -<p>The Scouts were convinced that the motel owner -had succeeded in discouraging any police investigation. -Publicity no doubt would harm his business. -Though they did not like the way he had handled -the affair, they told themselves it really was none of -their concern.</p> -<p>“Well, boys, we may as well get back to our own -camp,” Mr. Livingston suggested, edging toward -the door.</p> -<p>Jarrett Walz did not move aside.</p> -<p>“Just a minute,” he said. “I’ll appreciate an explanation -before you go.”</p> -<p>“An explanation?” Mr. Livingston asked, puzzled. -“For what?”</p> -<p>“Your presence in this cabin.”</p> -<p>The Scout adviser began to grow irritated, yet -he managed to keep his voice controlled.</p> -<p>“We did explain, I think. We were looking for -Craig Warner’s address.”</p> -<p>“You found it?”</p> -<p>“We did.”</p> -<p>“And what do you intend to do with it?”</p> -<p>“Notify Warner of Stony’s death, naturally.”</p> -<p>“You think he’d care?” Jarrett Walz demanded -with a slight sneer. “I doubt he ever laid eyes on that -old coot.”</p> -<p>“That’s beside the point. We made a promise to -Stony, and we intend to keep it.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_59">59</div> -<p>“A Scout’s word is to be trusted, eh?”</p> -<p>“It is.”</p> -<p>“Okay,” Walz retorted triumphantly. “Then tell -me the truth—no more of your double talk. You -came here to find more than an address.”</p> -<p>“Perhaps we did,” the Scout leader rejoined. “As -I recollect, you made a rather careful search of this -cabin yourself.”</p> -<p>“That’s different,” Walz said, immediately on the -defensive. “Stony was my workman. You are strangers -here.”</p> -<p>“You have a point,” Mr. Livingston conceded, -determined not to argue. “I suggest you lock the -cabin door.”</p> -<p>“It’s like locking the barn after the horse is stolen!” -Walz said, eying the Scout leader calculatingly. -“You’re deliberately hiding something! I think you -came here to find the old man’s gold!”</p> -<p>“Why, you—” War exclaimed, half lunging at the -motel owner.</p> -<p>Ken and Jack restrained him.</p> -<p>“Spunky little tiger, aren’t you?” Walz demanded -with a hard, mirthless laugh.</p> -<p>“It seems to me,” drawled Jack, addressing the -motel owner, “that you’re changing your tune about -the gold. Until now, you’ve maintained Stony’s tale -was fantastic.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_60">60</div> -<p>“And so it is!”</p> -<p>“You’re the one who should know,” Willie said -significantly. “You were the first to go through Old -Stony’s things.”</p> -<p>The Scouts expected the motel owner to fly into -a rage at this accusation, but to their surprise he -shrugged it off.</p> -<p>“I found nothing. Absolutely nothing.”</p> -<p>“Not even in the bag of pinto beans?” War asked.</p> -<p>Walz’ lips twitched, and a flush overspread his -ruddy cheeks.</p> -<p>“I see Old Stony did tell you quite a story,” he -sneered. “Oh, you can’t fool me! You weren’t here -on any good-will mission. You were looking for gold -and a treasure map.”</p> -<p>“You’ve changed your idea about the map, too,” -Jack accused him.</p> -<p>“Maybe I have! Maybe I’ve come to the conclusion -Old Stony told you a few things he never entrusted -to any other person in Rocking Horse.”</p> -<p>“Conclude as you please,” Mr. Livingston said -shortly.</p> -<p>“I’m asking a straight question. Did you find a -map in this cabin?”</p> -<p>“You’ll have to learn that answer for yourself, my -friend.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_61">61</div> -<p>Walz and the Scout leader gazed steadily at one -another. Then abruptly the motel owner’s manner -changed. He moved aside so that the Scouts could -file out the cabin door.</p> -<p>“You have the map,” he said in an oddly quiet -voice. “I knew it the moment I stepped into this -room.”</p> -<p>No one gave Walz the satisfaction of a reply.</p> -<p>He continued, his tone a warning: “Just bear in -mind one thing. In trusting you with his secret, Old -Stony may have passed on to you his own misfortune—the -curse that hangs over Headless Hollow!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_62">62</div> -<h2 id="c7"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 7</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">UNDER THE TENT FLAP</span></h2> -<p>Back in their own camp, the Explorers made certain -Jarrett Walz had not followed them.</p> -<p>Then, in the privacy of the larger tent, they eagerly -spread out the treasure map for a closer inspection. -Jack got the Colorado road guide from the car, and -they pored over it, trying to pinpoint Headless Hollow.</p> -<p>“There’s no such place,” War announced after a -long study of the basic Colorado map.</p> -<p>“You didn’t expect to find Headless Hollow -printed in big red letters, did you?” Ken demanded.</p> -<p>“That was only a name Old Stony and his partner -gave the valley,” Jack added.</p> -<p>“We can’t find any of the landmarks either,” War -grumbled, “or that town where Craig Warner is -supposed to live—Elks Creek.”</p> -<p>“It may be too small a place to be on a road map,” -Mr. Livingston returned. “Buckhorn, too.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_63">63</div> -<p>“This treasure map isn’t drawn to scale, either,” -Willie said with a frown. “Most of the canyons and -mountain peaks aren’t named. The main landmark -seems to be those twin peaks which guard the entrance -to the valley.”</p> -<p>“We’re not going there, anyhow,” Ken said, giving -him an amused, knowing look. “So why worry about -it?”</p> -<p>“Well, it would be exciting to look for that cache -of gold,” Willie retorted.</p> -<p>“If we could locate a take-off town it might not -be too far out of our way,” War put in eagerly. “How -about it, Hap?”</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston smiled but shook his head.</p> -<p>“No treasure hunting on this trip, boys. We’re -supposed to be back in Belton City by the end of -the week.”</p> -<p>“Oh, a few days more or less wouldn’t matter,” -War said carelessly.</p> -<p>“There’s a little matter of money,” Ken reminded -him. “We have just enough, with a few dollars in -reserve, to make it home.”</p> -<p>“I know,” War admitted, crestfallen. “But a fellow -can dream, can’t he?”</p> -<p>Jack continued to study the map.</p> -<p>“Make anything of it?” Ken asked.</p> -<p>“Either on purpose, or because he was careless, -Stony made his markings vague. He was especially -slack about printing in names.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_64">64</div> -<p>“What’ll we do with the map?” Willie asked the -Scout leader.</p> -<p>“It’s our duty to turn it over to Craig Warner. Our -best bet will be to send him a wire.”</p> -<p>“Telling him we have the map?”</p> -<p>“No, Willie. Not in the first wire. We’ll report -Stony’s death and ask him to reply.”</p> -<p>It had been the Scout plan to start on toward -Belton City, a journey of several days, but in view -of the promise made to Old Stony, they now were -uncertain what to do.</p> -<p>“We’ve already lost most of the morning,” Mr. -Livingston said, looking at his wristwatch. “If I -get a telegram off right away, we might have a reply -by tonight if we’re lucky.”</p> -<p>He reflected a moment, then reached a decision.</p> -<p>“We’ve paid for the site until tomorrow morning, -boys. If we’re ever going to hear from Craig Warner, -we ought to have a reply by that time.”</p> -<p>Willie and Warwick decided to ride into the main -section of town with the Scout adviser. Jack and -Ken agreed to watch the camp while the others were -dispatching the telegram.</p> -<p>“Don’t let Walz or anyone grab that map,” Willie -warned, as the car pulled away.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_65">65</div> -<p>Left to themselves, Jack and Ken discussed Old -Stony for a while. Now that they were away from -the hospital and the magic of his voice, the tale of -treasure seemed farfetched.</p> -<p>“Maybe it was just a fixation he had,” Ken said -thoughtfully. “I’ve read of old prospectors drawing -maps of imaginary places. Then they’d dream over -’em so long they’d convince themselves the treasure -was real.”</p> -<p>“Jarrett Walz seemed to think Stony’s story mostly -hot air. At least, that’s what he put out at first. But -if he didn’t believe it, why did he paw through -everything in the cabin?”</p> -<p>“Including that bag of pinto beans.”</p> -<p>“Yeah, Ken, it’s just possible he found a few nuggets -in the beans—enough to get him excited about -the map.”</p> -<p>“What did you think of his crack about the curse -of Headless Hollow?”</p> -<p>“Melodrama. Maybe he wanted to discourage us -from going there.”</p> -<p>“If so,” Ken grinned, “he went about it the wrong -Way. He should know that adventure is our dish!”</p> -<p>“Walz may know more about Old Stony’s past than -he’s letting on,” Jack said thoughtfully. “You notice -he gets his statements mixed. Another thing, he -poohpoohs the idea of a treasure, but he seems wild -to get his hands on this map.”</p> -<p>Ken nodded. “We should hide it in a safe spot.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_66">66</div> -<p>“Where?”</p> -<p>“Not in our duffel bags. That would be the first -place he’d look.”</p> -<p>Jack’s eye fell upon the tent flap. “Why not under -there?” he suggested. “At least until Hap gets back -with the car?”</p> -<p>“Good idea.”</p> -<p>Folding the map into a tiny square, they hid it -under the tent flap. Then, satisfied that it would be -safe, they set about preparing lunch.</p> -<p>By the time Mr. Livingston, War, and Willie drove -up, a big pot of stew was giving off a delightful -aroma. Ken made tea and tossed a handful of raisins -in the boiling rice.</p> -<p>“Any news?” Jack asked the Scout leader, as they -all sat down at a picnic table to eat.</p> -<p>“Nothing of consequence. We sent off the telegram. -The telegraph company agent promised to -telephone us here if there is any answer.”</p> -<p>“What about Stony?” Ken questioned, after a -moment. “Police haven’t caught that fellow who attacked -him?”</p> -<p>“No. We dropped around at the station. Apparently, -Jarrett Walz was right—the investigation -won’t be carried on with any vigor.”</p> -<p>“What—about the arrangements—Stony’s burial?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_67">67</div> -<p>“Tomorrow at 10 A.M. The town is providing for -a simple service.”</p> -<p>“Not Walz, then?”</p> -<p>“He’s contributing a small amount.”</p> -<p>“I’d like to chip in for flowers,” Jack said soberly. -“Even if our money is short, we can manage it, can’t -we?”</p> -<p>“Yes, Jack,” Mr. Livingston nodded. “While we -were in town, we arranged for a wreath. It seemed -the least we could do. Stony was a stranger and yet, -somehow, he moved us all deeply.”</p> -<p>“I got a queer feeling about him,” War added, -staring at his plate.</p> -<p>“What kind of feeling?” Ken asked.</p> -<p>“It’s hard to explain.” War groped for words. “It’s -as if his ghost were here—sort o’ nudging us on—saying -we should follow the lead he gave us.”</p> -<p>No one laughed.</p> -<p>Finally, Mr. Livingston said, “If we hear from -Craig Warner, and Elks Creek isn’t too many miles -out of our way, we could deliver the map.”</p> -<p>This thought at once caused the Explorers to become -more cheerful.</p> -<p>“About going on to Buckhorn—” War began, but -Mr. Livingston shook his head.</p> -<p>“It’s a matter of time and money, Warwick. After -all, we’ve had our vacation.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_68">68</div> -<p>“And a dandy one it was!” announced Jack, beginning -to gather up the cups. “I’m not going to grieve -over Old Stony’s hidden gold. Quit your coaxing, -War, and get those dishes done!”</p> -<p>Shortly after 2 P. M., as the Scouts restlessly idled -about camp, they saw Jarrett Walz drive up. From -the way he slammed the door as he went into the -motel office, they judged he was in a bad mood. This -was made even more evident a few minutes later -when he tramped down the road to ask them if they -had decided when they would leave Rocking Horse.</p> -<p>“Tomorrow some time, probably,” Mr. Livingston -told him.</p> -<p>“Our town seems to have quite an attraction for -you.”</p> -<p>“Not exactly.”</p> -<p>“You’re certainly taking a deep interest in Stony’s -unfortunate affairs,” the motel owner went on, scowling. -“I heard about that telegram you sent to Craig -Warner.”</p> -<p>“Oh! News travels fast in Rocking Horse.”</p> -<p>“It does. I might say you seem to be assuming -responsibilities. Some might have a less polite name -for it.”</p> -<p>“Meaning?”</p> -<p>“Ever since you hit this town, you’ve been sticking -your nose into affairs that don’t concern you.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_69">69</div> -<p>“Sorry if it seems that way to you,” Mr. Livingston -said with a shrug.</p> -<p>“Why did you send a wire to Craig Warner?”</p> -<p>“To notify him of Old Stony’s death.”</p> -<p>“That wasn’t your sole reason.”</p> -<p>“You have all the answers,” Mr. Livingston replied, -finding it hard to keep his temper. “Why -bother to ask any questions?”</p> -<p>“Because I strongly suspect Old Stony told you -something you’re hiding from me.”</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston made up his mind to end the unpleasant -conversation.</p> -<p>“We promised Stony we would get in touch with -the son of his old partner. That’s why we sent the -telegram. Tomorrow we’ll be away from here, and -you can handle affairs as you see fit.”</p> -<p>The reply obviously did not satisfy Jarrett Walz -but, apparently realizing his tactics would get him -nowhere, he went away.</p> -<p>For the Scouts it was a long, boring day. With -nothing to do, the hours dragged. All began to look -forward to the morrow when they would take to the -road once more. Twice Mr. Livingston and Ken -drove to the telegraph office to inquire if an answer -had been received to the wire. No word had come.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_70">70</div> -<p>“Craig Warner may not exist except in Old Stony’s -mind,” the Scout leader observed upon his return -to camp at dusk, “or he may have moved to another -community.”</p> -<p>“What’ll we do about the map?” Willie asked in -a troubled voice.</p> -<p>“If there’s no reply by morning, I think the best -thing to do is send it by registered mail,” the Scout -adviser decided.</p> -<p>The warm night closed in somewhat cloudy. After -supper, the Scouts sat for a while about the camp -fire, cracking a few jokes and trying to shake themselves -into a more cheerful mood. Old Stony’s death -hung over them, and they could not seem to get him -out of their thoughts. It was depressing to look at -his darkened cabin.</p> -<p>“I’ll be glad to leave in the morning,” Jack said, -preparing to turn in for the night. “Up at crack of -dawn, you guys!”</p> -<p>The fire burned out, and the camp quieted. Jack, -with the health of youth, slept soundly. Now and -then he aroused briefly as cars drove into the motel -section of the parking lot, but quickly he dozed off -again.</p> -<p>Then suddenly he was awake once more. For a -second, he could not imagine what had aroused him. -But as he lay still, listening, he distinctly heard -the crackle of a twig.</p> -<p>He crept to the door of the shelter, peering out.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_71">71</div> -<p>The night was very dark but, even without switching -on a flashlight, he could see a man moving -stealthily toward the Scout automobile parked beyond -the picnic tables.</p> -<p>As Jack watched in growing anger, the fellow -deliberately tested the car doors to see if they were -locked.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_72">72</div> -<h2 id="c8"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 8</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">WALZ’ PROPOSITION</span></h2> -<p>The tall fellow, who crouched by the car, picked -up a rock. Guessing that he meant to smash the -door handle, Jack let out a wild yell.</p> -<p>“Get away from there, you!”</p> -<p>The man dropped the rock. Startled, he whirled -and ran for the trees. Jack took after him, but he did -not have on his shoes. The rocks and stones slashed -his feet and impeded him.</p> -<p>The intruder, amazingly fast in retreat, vanished -behind the motel buildings. Losing sight of him, -Jack finally limped back to camp.</p> -<p>“Hey, what’s the idea?” Willie greeted him. “You -made more noise than a tribe of Indians!”</p> -<p>“Lucky I did, too!”</p> -<p>All the Scouts and Mr. Livingston were awake -by now. They pressed Jack for an explanation.</p> -<p>Recovering breath, he said in disgust: “I let him -get away.”</p> -<p>“Who got away?” Mr. Livingston demanded.</p> -<p>“That’s what I don’t know. Someone was trying -to break into the sedan.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_73">73</div> -<p>Mr. Livingston went over to try the car doors. -All remained locked.</p> -<p>“I yelled and scared him away before he managed -to break the handle,” Jack went on. “You know—he -looked a lot like that fellow we saw streaking away -from Stony’s cabin last night.”</p> -<p>“The attacker?” Willie interposed. “S-a-y, maybe -it was the same guy!”</p> -<p>“And maybe it’s lucky we weren’t slugged in our -sleep!” War added.</p> -<p>“He acted as if his main objective was the -car.”</p> -<p>“Nothing in there except some of our unpacked -luggage,” Mr. Livingston said thoughtfully. “He -could have been after the car.”</p> -<p>“Or something he believed might be hidden or -locked up there,” Jack suggested.</p> -<p>“The map!” exclaimed Ken.</p> -<p>“That’s how it struck me,” Jack nodded. “I’m glad -we hid it under the tent flap. Let’s hope it’s still -there.”</p> -<p>“It has to be,” Ken returned. “I’ve been in camp -every minute since you hid it.”</p> -<p>Nevertheless, to reassure themselves, the Scouts -peered beneath the flap. When folded back, it served -as an open doorway. When lowered, it provided a -curtain across the front opening.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_74">74</div> -<p>“Still here,” Jack said in relief.</p> -<p>“Maybe that guy wasn’t after it at all,” Ken said -doubtfully. “Who would know we have the -map?”</p> -<p>“Jarrett Walz, for one,” piped up Willie.</p> -<p>“Can’t picture him coming to our camp at night,” -Ken said. “Did it look like Walz, Jack?”</p> -<p>“Not especially. I didn’t get a glimpse of anything -but his back. He lit out like a house afire.”</p> -<p>“Well, boys, he’s gone,” Mr. Livingston said, -yawning. “We may have a rough day tomorrow. So -I suggest we try to get a little more sleep before -dawn.”</p> -<p>Once more the Scouts settled down. Throughout -the remainder of the night, the only disturbing -sound was the rumble of traffic past the motel office.</p> -<p>Jack was up with the sun. He and Willie were -starting to prepare breakfast, when they heard the -crunch of gravel. Looking around, they saw Mr. -Walz approaching the camp.</p> -<p>“Trouble,” Willie muttered.</p> -<p>However, he was wrong. The motel owner seemed -to be in a most pleasant mood. In fact, he carried a -covered dish.</p> -<p>“Good morning, boys,” he greeted them. “My -wife sent over these hot biscuits. We thought you’d -like a taste of home cooking for a change.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_75">75</div> -<p>Willie opened his jaws to let fall a stinging comment. -Then he closed his lips firmly and kept his -thoughts to himself.</p> -<p>“Thanks,” Jack said. “Biscuits will go fine with -our bacon and eggs.”</p> -<p>“My wife sent some jam, too. Nothing like a good -breakfast before you hit the road.”</p> -<p>Jack and Willie exchanged a quick glance. They -figured they knew the reason behind the motel -owner’s unexpected generosity. He was eager to -speed them on their way!</p> -<p>“Is your leader anywhere around?” Walz inquired, -after he had set the pan down on a stump near the -camp fire.</p> -<p>Just then Mr. Livingston came out of the tent -carrying his shaving equipment.</p> -<p>“Good morning, good morning,” Mr. Walz cried -heartily. “I hope you had a good night’s rest.”</p> -<p>“Not especially. Someone tried to break into our -car.”</p> -<p>“You don’t say!”</p> -<p>With a show of concern, Mr. Walz asked for details.</p> -<p>“Y’ know,” the motel owner said, after they had -explained, “now that Stony is gone, I’ll have to hire -someone—a more active man—to guard these -grounds at night.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_76">76</div> -<p>“You’ve had trouble before?” the Scout leader -inquired.</p> -<p>“No, not until night before last. I was told, though, -that a suspicious-looking character was seen loitering -around here yesterday while I was away.”</p> -<p>“You didn’t mention it to us last night.”</p> -<p>“Didn’t want to alarm you. It may be he’s the -same fellow who got into poor Old Stony’s cabin.”</p> -<p>“You’ve notified the police, I suppose?”</p> -<p>“Well, no,” Mr. Walz admitted, avoiding the Scout -leader’s direct gaze. “I didn’t have enough evidence -to go on.”</p> -<p>“Besides, you thought Stony’s attacker blew town -yesterday. Remember?”</p> -<p>“Yes, that’s so,” the motel man agreed with a -self-conscious laugh.</p> -<p>By this time, the Scouts had no faith in Walz’ -word, and he seemed to be aware of the unfavorable -impression he had created.</p> -<p>“I’ve been very upset about the attack on Stony,” -he went on. “And all the talk about his gold and -a treasure map worries me, too.”</p> -<p>“Why should that worry you?” Ken drawled.</p> -<p>“As I said before, I seriously doubt there is any -gold—”</p> -<p>“There’s a place he calls Headless Hollow—” -War exclaimed, and then faltered.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_77">77</div> -<p>“Headless Hollow,” Mr. Walz repeated softly. -“So he did tell you about that place in the Colorado -Rockies? And he gave you the map too!”</p> -<p>“Stony wasn’t taking anything with him when he -went to the hospital,” Jack reminded the motel -owner. “As I recall, you were the first to go through -his things.”</p> -<p>“And you were close on my heels!” Walz brought -himself up short. “However, I didn’t come here to -quarrel. I know you have the map and, as a gentleman, -I request that you show it to me.”</p> -<p>Had Walz made his request in this manner the -previous day, the Scouts would have allowed him -to inspect the paper they had found. Now, distrusting -his motives, they were unwilling to produce the -map.</p> -<p>“Well?” he demanded impatiently.</p> -<p>“Sorry,” Mr. Livingston replied. “I’ll admit we do -have a piece of paper Stony left. But it must be -delivered to Craig Warner.”</p> -<p>“So that’s why you sent him a telegram yesterday?”</p> -<p>“It is.”</p> -<p>For a minute, the Scouts thought Jarrett Walz -would storm and object. He seemed to gain control -of himself only after an inward struggle. When he -spoke, his voice was friendly, cheerful.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_78">78</div> -<p>“I’ve told you how I took care of Stony for years—gave -him a job, clothing, food—everything. Ask -anyone in Rocking Horse if it isn’t true.”</p> -<p>“We don’t doubt it,” Mr. Livingston returned.</p> -<p>“Believe me, I have no desire for personal gain,” -Walz resumed. “I do feel that if Stony left any money -or a rich claim, I should be entitled to repayment -for a portion of what I’ve put out in his behalf.”</p> -<p>“That seems fair enough,” the Scout leader agreed.</p> -<p>“Stony told me dozens of times he intended me -to have everything he owned. At the very end, he -turned against me—only because his mind was failing. -He began to think of Craig Warner—a man he -never saw in his lifetime, so far as I know.”</p> -<p>“That probably is so,” Mr. Livingston conceded.</p> -<p>“Now I’m willing enough the map should go to -Craig Warner, if that was Stony’s last wish. But -who knows where Warner is?”</p> -<p>“We’ve had no luck in getting in touch with him -so far,” the Scout leader admitted.</p> -<p>“Exactly. Suppose you never find him? Then what -becomes of the map?”</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston replied that he had given no -thought to that possibility.</p> -<p>“It seems to me,” Walz said, speaking slowly, -“that if you fail to find Warner, the map ought to be -turned over to me.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_79">79</div> -<p>“Your request is a reasonable one.”</p> -<p>“I thought you’d see it my way,” Walz said in -relief. “Then it’s settled. Turn the map over to me, -and I’ll do my best to find Warner. If I don’t find -him, I’ll keep it.”</p> -<p>“Hold on!” Mr. Livingston said, smiling broadly. -“We made a promise to Stony, and we shall do all -we can to find Craig Warner ourselves.”</p> -<p>“You mean you don’t trust me.”</p> -<p>“It’s not that,” the Scout leader replied. “We just -feel we owe it to Stony to deliver the map ourselves.”</p> -<p>“And if you fail?”</p> -<p>“Then there may be no reason why you shouldn’t -have it. The Scouts, I assure you, have no intention -of going on a wild gold chase.”</p> -<p>When it became clear to the motel owner that he -could not move Mr. Livingston, he asked, “Then -how do you plan to deliver the map?”</p> -<p>“The safest way would be to take it to Elks -Creek—if there is such a place.”</p> -<p>“Elks Creek is a real place, all right,” Walz informed -him, “but it’s an out-of-the way cow town off -the main highway. I could take you there, only my -car is out of commission.”</p> -<p>The Scouts waited, wondering what the motel -owner had in mind. It was obvious that he was leading -up to something.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_80">80</div> -<p>“This is my proposition,” Walz said. “Elks Creek -isn’t any more than seventy-five or one hundred -miles out of your way, if you’re traveling east. Take -me along, and I’ll pay the entire cost of the trip from -here to Craig Warner’s place.”</p> -<p>Despite themselves, the Scouts were rather -amazed at the generous offer.</p> -<p>“There’s just one little string attached to my offer,” -the motel owner added. “If we fail to find Craig -Warner, then I’ll expect you to hand over the map.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_81">81</div> -<h2 id="c9"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 9</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">SHORT CUT</span></h2> -<p>“Well, how about it?” Jarrett Walz asked impatiently, -as the Scouts stood mute. “My proposition -is a fair one.”</p> -<p>“Yes, it is,” Mr. Livingston acknowledged.</p> -<p>“Then why hesitate? Are you afraid to team up -with me?”</p> -<p>“No, we’re not afraid, Mr. Walz.”</p> -<p>“You don’t think I’m trying to outwit you?”</p> -<p>“We’re taken by surprise,” Mr. Livingston replied. -“You offer to pay all the expenses of the trip?”</p> -<p>“I do. That is, from here to Elks Creek. Meals. -Overnight lodging, if we have to hole up in Colorado.”</p> -<p>“What can you hope to gain from such an arrangement?” -Hap went on.</p> -<p>“Nothing, probably. The chances are we’ll find -Craig Warner and turn the map over to him. But -if no such person exists, the map will be mine.”</p> -<p>“And you rate the map so highly?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_82">82</div> -<p>Walz began to feel hemmed in by his own conflicting -statements. He hesitated, then said, “I want that -map. Maybe I misled you at first because I didn’t -know anything about you or your motives. But -there’s an outside chance Stony’s map may have -some value.”</p> -<p>The Scouts were far more inclined to trust the -motel owner now that he made a frank admission of -his interest in the paper.</p> -<p>“Well, what do you say?” he prodded.</p> -<p>“We’ll have to think it over,” Mr. Livingston -stalled.</p> -<p>“How long will you need?”</p> -<p>“We figured on going to the telegraph office -again before we pull out—and to the funeral.”</p> -<p>“I’ll meet you here at eleven o’clock,” Walz suggested. -“By that time, I must have your answer.”</p> -<p>“You’ll have it,” Mr. Livingston promised. “If -we should accept, how soon could you be ready to -leave?”</p> -<p>“In ten minutes. All I need to do is toss a few -things into a suitcase.”</p> -<p>“We’ll see you at eleven o’clock,” Mr. Livingston -replied.</p> -<p>Over breakfast, the Scouts discussed the matter, -finding it difficult to reach a decision. They still -distrusted Jarrett Walz. On the other hand, it seemed -selfish to deny him a ride to Elks Creek when his -own car was not in good running order.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_83">83</div> -<p>“And he’s offered to pay all expenses,” War reminded -the group as he reached for a second biscuit. -“That’s quite an item.”</p> -<p>“I’m for taking him up,” said Willie. “We’d get -back to Belton City with cash in our treasury.”</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston gazed at Jack and Ken, waiting -to hear their opinions.</p> -<p>“I don’t know,” Jack admitted frankly. “On the -surface it looks okay, but—”</p> -<p>“I feel the same,” said Ken. “Before making a -decision, why not inquire in town as to Walz’ reputation?”</p> -<p>“A good suggestion,” the Scout adviser answered. -“We’ll do it on our trip to the telegraph station.”</p> -<p>After breakfast, the Scouts struck camp, packing -everything into the car and transferring the map -to Mr. Livingston’s billfold for safekeeping. As they -started to pull out of the parking yard, Mr. Walz -came rushing out of the motel.</p> -<p>“Don’t worry, we aren’t leaving for good,” Mr. -Livingston reassured him. “We’ll see you at eleven -o’clock as we promised.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_84">84</div> -<p>At the telegraph office, the Scouts were told that -no answer had been received to their telegram. Then -they stopped at the post office and the bank. While -the Scouts were mailing cards home, Mr. Livingston -made a few inquiries about Mr. Walz. The information -he received was not very helpful. However, -the motel owner seemed to be well regarded in the -community.</p> -<p>“So far as I can gather, this is the picture,” Mr. -Livingston told the Explorers. “Walz did give Stony -a home when the old fellow wasn’t able to do much -work. He’s considered a hard driver but fair. Stony -wasn’t too grateful for what he received.”</p> -<p>“Maybe we misjudged Walz,” Jack said thoughtfully. -“Well, what’s our decision?”</p> -<p>“How can we lose by taking him up?” Willie -argued. “I’m for it.”</p> -<p>The others offered no objection, so it was decided -that Walz’ proposition should be accepted.</p> -<p>“Just a word of warning,” Mr. Livingston advised. -“Walz knows we have the map. Let’s not tell him -who has it, or give him any detail of what it -shows.”</p> -<p>“If I know him, he’ll try to pry it out of us,” War -chuckled. “But my lips are sealed.”</p> -<p>The Scouts attended Stony’s funeral along with -a few townspeople, and Walz was not present. When -they drove back to the motel, he was waiting for -them.</p> -<p>“My suitcase is packed,” he announced. “Ready?”</p> -<p>“You’re taking our acceptance for granted?” Mr. -Livingston remarked dryly.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_85">85</div> -<p>“Figured you wouldn’t turn it down,” the motel -owner said with a grin. “Where do I ride?”</p> -<p>Willie slid out of the front seat to make room -for him and crowded into the back with War and -Jack.</p> -<p>“If you want, I can take the wheel,” Walz offered, -once his suitcase had been stowed away. “I know -this road like a book.”</p> -<p>“I’ll drive,” Mr. Livingston said, “but thanks.”</p> -<p>The Explorers had decided to be cordial to Walz, -and therefore they kept up a polite conversation. The -motel owner was in a good mood and seemingly had -an endless stock of stories to relate. At first the Scouts -did not mind, but after an hour or so they began to -weary of his chatter.</p> -<p>When the car made its first stop at a filling station -to get gas, true to his bargain Walz paid the bill.</p> -<p>“Maybe he’ll be okay, after all,” Willie remarked -to Jack as they checked the tires before driving on.</p> -<p>“Maybe,” Jack agreed. “Time will tell.”</p> -<p>Once the party was well beyond the Colorado -border, Walz began to suggest short-cut roads which -he said would greatly reduce the mileage. Feeling -that the motel owner knew the country, Mr. Livingston -and the Explorers accepted his advice. But -as the roads became increasingly poor, they wondered -if they actually were saving any time. Late -in the afternoon, when they were confronted with -a choice of highways, Mr. Livingston stopped the car -so as to study the road map.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_86">86</div> -<p>“No. 416 will take us directly into Elks Creek,” -Hap said. “With luck, we ought to get there before -dark.”</p> -<p>With his forefinger, Walz traced another route. -“It’s 40 miles shorter this way,” he pointed out.</p> -<p>“Your short cuts haven’t worked out so far,” the -Scout leader objected.</p> -<p>“But I know this country,” said Walz. “This road -is paved all the way.”</p> -<p>“All right, if you’re sure,” Mr. Livingston said, -“but I don’t like the look of the sky.”</p> -<p>Black, fast-moving clouds were swirling over the -distant mountain peaks.</p> -<p>“Oh, it may rain a little,” Walz replied carelessly. -“All the more reason for taking the shorter road that’s -paved.”</p> -<p>The highway he had insisted on taking ran for a -while through desolate territory, and they didn’t -meet any other cars. There were no houses or filling -stations, and the only persons they saw along the -road were occasional Indians. However, the highway -was paved, as Walz had said. Instead of having -bridges, the road dipped down through dry creek -beds.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_87">87</div> -<p>Jack called attention to a sign which read: “Notice -to Motorists: Do not attempt to cross if creek is -running more than six inches deep.”</p> -<p>“Sometimes these creeks come up fast,” Walz explained -carelessly. “The mountains feed the streams -at a terrific rate, especially if there’s been a heavy -downpour above.”</p> -<p>“Cheerful thought,” commented Ken, studying the -clouds again.</p> -<p>“I’ve read of cars being swept away,” Mr. Livingston -remarked. “Maybe we should have taken the -other road.”</p> -<p>Walz regarded him scornfully. “Why, the creeks -are bone dry.”</p> -<p>“They won’t be for long,” Mr. Livingston replied. -“It’s starting to rain.”</p> -<p>Huge drops splashed the windshield. Faster and -faster they came down. Mr. Livingston suggested -pulling up until the rain was over.</p> -<p>“That may be an hour,” Walz rasped. He was -looking worried. “This is coming down like a regular -cloudburst. If we don’t get through this area, -we’ll be trapped maybe for half a day between -creeks.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_88">88</div> -<p>The Scouts said nothing. They were deeply annoyed, -however, that the motel owner by his stubborn -insistence had brought them to this sorry situation. -Mr. Livingston hesitated and then decided -to accept Walz’ advice. He drove on.</p> -<p>Rain was already falling so fast that it became -difficult for him to see the road ahead.</p> -<p>“This is awful!” the Scout leader gasped. “We -ought to stop—”</p> -<p>“No!” Walz shouted. “Another creek lies ahead. -Once we get through that, we’ll be all right.”</p> -<p>“How far?”</p> -<p>“Only a mile or two.”</p> -<p>With a worried shake of his head, Mr. Livingston -kept on. Rain fell in a deluge, threatening to damp -out the car motor.</p> -<p>“The creek is just ahead,” Walz encouraged him.</p> -<p>“How deep is the water running?” the Scout leader -demanded.</p> -<p>Water sprayed the windshield and he could not -make out even the drop-off of the pavement into -the depression.</p> -<p>“It’ll be okay,” Walz assured him. “The rain hasn’t -been falling long. Keep on.”</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston obeyed and immediately regretted -it. The moment the car rolled down into the creek -bed, he saw that the water was far higher than he -had imagined. It swirled angrily around the tires -and kept creeping higher. Too late, Mr. Livingston -saw he could not back out.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_89">89</div> -<p>“Jeepers!” Walz exclaimed. “The rain must have -started earlier in the mountains! Keep going, man! -Keep going!”</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston was doing his best, but the motor -sputtered and died.</p> -<p>The car rolled a few feet farther and stopped -in the lowest point of the raging torrent.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_90">90</div> -<h2 id="c10"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 10</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">TRICKERY</span></h2> -<p>“We’re in it now!” Walz shrieked, staring in horror -at the fast-rising water. “The car will be swept -away!”</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston tried desperately to get the motor -started.</p> -<p>“You should have seen the water was too deep -for a crossing!” Walz whimpered. “It’s rising so fast -you can see it!”</p> -<p>Ken, who was riding in the center of the front -seat, shoved past the motel owner and got out of -the car. Jack, Willie and War, in the back seat, followed -suit. The water was up to their knees and -rising unbelievably fast.</p> -<p>“Altogether, push!” Jack ordered.</p> -<p>The four applied their shoulders and shoved. The -car moved ahead through the swirling, raging water, -but could not make the steep incline. Back it rolled.</p> -<p>“Again!” Jack urged.</p> -<p>Walz did not offer to help, though he must have -known that his strength was vitally needed in this -desperate race against time.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_91">91</div> -<p>“We’ll never get ’er out,” Willie muttered in despair.</p> -<p>Once more the Scouts heaved, and again the car -began to roll. This time, as the uphill grade became -too much of a barrier, Mr. Livingston helped move -the car on the battery. Inch by inch it crept up the -sloping bank to the higher road above.</p> -<p>War made a last powerful shove, lost his balance, -and sprawled in the torrent. Jack grabbed him, and -they all splashed out of the stream. Wet and bedraggled, -they climbed back into the car to consider their -plight.</p> -<p>“I suspect the spark plug is damp,” Mr. Livingston -said, getting out a handkerchief with which to -wipe it. “The engine stalled even before we hit the -deep water.”</p> -<p>Despite protests from the Scouts, he took his turn -in the rain. Walz, however, made no offer to help. -Scowling, he sat huddled in the steamy car.</p> -<p>After twenty minutes of fussing with the spark -plug, the Scout leader managed to get the engine -started again. By that time, the rain had slackened -considerably.</p> -<p>“Any more creek beds ahead?” Mr. Livingston -asked Walz as the car crept forward once more.</p> -<p>“No,” Walz snapped. “I suppose you’re blaming -me for what happened?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_92">92</div> -<p>“I didn’t hear anyone making any complaints,” -the Scout leader replied. “An accident is an accident.”</p> -<p>“Well, it wasn’t my fault. How was I to know there -had been a cloudburst up in the mountains?”</p> -<p>“It’s always a wise precaution—” Mr. Livingston -started to say and then cut himself off. He finished: -“Well, we’re lucky we didn’t lose the car, or at least -damage it. The rain has almost stopped, too.”</p> -<p>In their wet clothes and shoes the Scouts were -rather uncomfortable. At the first filling station, -thirty miles farther on, they stopped, unpacked the -luggage, and changed into dry clothing.</p> -<p>Walz fretted at the delay.</p> -<p>“It will be after dark before we get to Elks Creek,” -he complained.</p> -<p>“Sorry,” Jack replied shortly. “Sometimes the -shortest road is the longest way to a destination.”</p> -<p>“Real philosophical, aren’t you?” Walz asked, his -lips curling.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_93">93</div> -<p>To Jack, it was plain that the motel owner found -it hard to hold his temper in check. Obviously he -had no liking for the Scouts or Mr. Livingston and -tolerated their company only to gain his objective. -As for the Explorers, they now had even less respect -for Walz than they had had before. His judgment, -they thought, had been proven faulty. He was sullen, -selfish, and, in addition, he had a cowardly streak.</p> -<p>After the rain, night came on fast. The Scouts -would have preferred to camp, but Walz kept insisting -that they push on to Elks Creek. Actually, it -was 9:25 P.M. when the car finally pulled into that -little mountainside hamlet. There was no suitable -camp site, and for once the wearied Scouts had no -enthusiasm about finding one.</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston suggested that they all spend the -night at the town’s only hotel, an unimposing -wooden structure.</p> -<p>“At my expense, naturally,” Mr. Walz said sarcastically.</p> -<p>The Scout leader shot him a quizzical look. “It -was your proposition—”</p> -<p>“Yes, it was! Well, I’m not kicking. Not if you keep -your end of the bargain. If we fail to find Craig -Warner, you turn the map over to me.”</p> -<p>“Yes, if we’re convinced he can’t possibly be -found.”</p> -<p>“It’s too late tonight to try to find Red Cliffs -Ranch,” Walz went on. “We’ll register at this dump -of a hotel. While you’re getting some supper, I’ll -make a few inquiries.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_94">94</div> -<p>The Scouts took rooms, cleaned themselves up a -bit, and joined Mr. Livingston in the dining room. -A silent, shy waitress served them an excellent meal -consisting of steak, potatoes, and fresh peas. For -dessert came large cuts of juicy apple pie with big -wedges of cheese.</p> -<p>“Say, this is real food!” Willie said with relish. -“A mighty welcome change from that eternal stew -Jack is always feeding us.”</p> -<p>“Just for that, you’ll get beans next time!” Jack -retorted good-naturedly. “Such gratitude!”</p> -<p>“The best part of this meal is that it’s free,” War -chortled.</p> -<p>“I hope so,” responded Mr. Livingston as he signed -the check with Walz’ name. “But sometimes things -don’t work out as we expect.”</p> -<p>“Meaning Walz is likely to welch on the deal?”</p> -<p>“Not if he gets what he wants, War.”</p> -<p>“And if he doesn’t?”</p> -<p>“Well, in that case, we may see fireworks. I have -a hunch—”</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston left his remark unfinished, for Jack -flashed him a warning glance. Jarrett Walz had just -come into the dining room. Crossing over to the -Scouts’ table, he sat down.</p> -<p>“Well, friends,” he began, “I’ve made a few inquiries. -The outcome is just about what I expected.”</p> -<p>“Craig Warner doesn’t live here?” Ken asked -quickly.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_95">95</div> -<p>“He did live here years ago. Then he moved north. -Three years ago, he died of pneumonia.”</p> -<p>“Craig Warner’s dead?” War echoed flatly.</p> -<p>“Yes. It’s disappointing but, frankly, I expected -it.”</p> -<p>“You expected it?” Jack asked.</p> -<p>“I mean, it’s no more than I expected. Stony probably -hadn’t written to Warner in six or eight -years.”</p> -<p>“It seems our trip here is without purpose,” Mr. -Livingston observed, looking down at his plate. “I -admit I am disappointed.”</p> -<p>“I’ll be starting back to Rocking Horse early tomorrow -morning,” Walz said briskly. “I can catch -a train at nine o’clock. You boys will probably want -to get an early start east, so the best thing would -be to give it to me now.”</p> -<p>“The map?” Mr. Livingston asked.</p> -<p>“Naturally. That was the agreement.”</p> -<p>“Why are you sure Craig Warner is dead?” the -Scout leader demanded.</p> -<p>“A dozen people told me so.”</p> -<p>“Can you give me their names?”</p> -<p>“You doubt my word?”</p> -<p>“No, but in a matter such as this, we can’t afford -to make a mistake.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_96">96</div> -<p>“I don’t recall to whom I talked,” Walz said with -a scowl. “But the dope was straight. Warner is dead. -I’ve kept my agreement. Now I want that map.”</p> -<p>“See us in the morning at breakfast,” Mr. Livingston -said suavely.</p> -<p>“I told you I have to take an early train.”</p> -<p>“We’ll be up before seven o’clock,” Mr. Livingston -promised him. “Meet us here at seven thirty. Okay?”</p> -<p>Walz started to argue, then suddenly changed his -mind.</p> -<p>“All right,” he agreed. “Breakfast at seven thirty. -Get a good sleep. You still have a long ride before -you.”</p> -<p>In leaving the dining room, the Scouts casually -inquired of the hotel owner if he knew anyone by -the name of Craig Warner.</p> -<p>“Never heard of him,” he replied.</p> -<p>Once the Scouts were in Mr. Livingston’s room, -they discussed turning the map over to the motel -owner.</p> -<p>“I may have to do it in the morning,” Mr. Livingston -said reluctantly, “but, somehow, his information -doesn’t satisfy me.”</p> -<p>“Why not do a little checking of our own?” Jack -proposed.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_97">97</div> -<p>The idea appealed to the others. It was decided, -though, that Walz might become resentful if he -saw the entire crew leaving the hotel. So Jack and -Ken were assigned to tour the town to see what -they could learn.</p> -<p>The two were away from the hotel more than an -hour. When finally they returned, they fairly burst -into the Scout leader’s room where the others had -gathered.</p> -<p>“What did you find out?” War demanded, getting -up from the bed where he had been sprawling.</p> -<p>“Plenty!” Jack announced.</p> -<p>“We talked to three people,” Ken said. “The first -two had never heard of Craig Warner. Then we ran -into an old-timer, a rancher who has lived in this -country most of his life.”</p> -<p>“What did he say?” Willie asked impatiently.</p> -<p>“Craig Warner is very much alive,” Jack announced. -“In fact, he lives less than forty miles from -here—not at Red Cliffs Ranch, though. Another -place.”</p> -<p>“Then Walz lied!”</p> -<p>“Ken and I think so,” Jack said soberly. “He’s -made up his mind to get that map at any cost. And -it’s up to us to prevent him!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_98">98</div> -<h2 id="c11"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 11</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">CLOUD CREST RANCH</span></h2> -<p>Jarrett Walz was waiting in the hotel dining room -when the Explorers entered promptly at seven thirty -the next morning.</p> -<p>“Well, right on time, I see,” he greeted them -jovially. “You brought the map?”</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston did not reply. He and the Scouts -seated themselves at the circular, old-fashioned table -and ordered breakfast. The motel owner could not -conceal his impatience.</p> -<p>“You brought the map?” he repeated as soon as -the waitress went away.</p> -<p>“As for turning it over to you,” Mr. Livingston -replied, “we have a different plan.”</p> -<p>Walz’ bushy eyebrows jerked up in surprise. -“What d’you mean, a different plan?” he growled.</p> -<p>“Craig Warner happens to be alive.”</p> -<p>“What?”</p> -<p>“We checked your information last night, Mr. -Walz. I’m afraid you obtained it from unreliable -sources.”</p> -<p>A flush slowly overspread the motel owner’s face.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_99">99</div> -<p>“Craig Warner isn’t dead?” he stammered.</p> -<p>“No. He is operating a ranch less than forty miles -from here.”</p> -<p>“A place called Cloud Crest,” supplied Jack, enjoying -Walz’ discomfiture.</p> -<p>“I—I’m mighty glad to hear it,” the motel owner -muttered.</p> -<p>“We’ve made further inquiry,” Mr. Livingston -resumed. “Cloud Crest is off the main road in a -rather inaccessible place. In dry weather, however, -it can be reached by car. Fortunately, yesterday’s -downpour missed this area.”</p> -<p>“Warner hasn’t been to town in a month,” Ken -added. “That’s why he never replied to our telegram. -It’s waiting here, if he ever shows up.”</p> -<p>Walz sat for a long moment, staring at the tablecloth. -The waitress brought pancakes and hot sausages, -but he scarcely touched his food. The Scouts, -on the other hand, ate heartily.</p> -<p>When they had finished, Walz said, “You’ll be -starting on East now, I suppose?”</p> -<p>“Not until we’ve delivered the map,” the Scout -leader answered.</p> -<p>“It will be at least eighty miles out of your way, -counting the return trip,” the motel owner pointed -out. “You’ll have to figure on killing an entire day.”</p> -<p>“I suppose so,” Mr. Livingston admitted.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_100">100</div> -<p>“I’ll tell you what! I can save you that trip. Let me -have the map, and I’ll see that Craig Warner gets it.”</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston shook his head. “We’d prefer to -deliver it ourselves.”</p> -<p>“You don’t trust me?”</p> -<p>“We made Old Stony a promise, that’s all.”</p> -<p>“You’ve become very devoted to his memory, -haven’t you?” Walz asked with a slight sneer. “You -think I deceived you?”</p> -<p>“Did we make any such accusation?”</p> -<p>“Oh, I can tell by the way you act! I’ve paid -your expenses. I’ve been open and above board in -all my dealings. You’ve done nothing in return.”</p> -<p>“We’ve kept our agreement, Mr. Walz.”</p> -<p>“At least let me see that map.”</p> -<p>“We’re turning it over to Mr. Warner,” the Scout -leader said patiently. “After he gets it, if he wants -to he can show it to you or do whatever he pleases. -Until then—no.”</p> -<p>Walz suddenly got to his feet, pushing back his -chair.</p> -<p>“Okay,” he rasped. “I’m through paying your bills. -Settle your own hotel account. I’m finished with -you!”</p> -<p>He strode from the dining room.</p> -<p>“Good riddance,” grinned Willie. “We never -should have teamed up with him. Wonder how -much we owe here?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_101">101</div> -<p>“Enough,” Mr. Livingston said, a bit grimly. “We -can handle it, though. I half figured on a deal such -as this.”</p> -<p>Hurriedly, the Scouts finished breakfast and gathered -together their belongings. Jack obtained detailed -instructions for reaching Cloud Crest Ranch. -Mr. Livingston settled the hotel bill, which was not -so high as he had expected, and they drove out of -Elks Creek without seeing Walz again.</p> -<p>“We’re finished with him,” War said cheerfully, -settling down for a long ride over a rutty road. -“What did you learn about Warner, Jack?”</p> -<p>“Not much. They say he’s an able rancher but -has had a run of hard luck.”</p> -<p>“The fellow we talked to said he’s a square -shooter,” Ken contributed. “Peculiar, though—the -lone-wolf type. His exact words were: ‘If Warner -likes you, he’ll give you the shirt off his back. If -he doesn’t, watch out! He judges a man fast, and -once an opinion is formed, he doesn’t change his -mind.’”</p> -<p>“Let’s hope he takes a liking to us,” Mr. Livingston -remarked. “Not that it matters. We’ll give him -the map and be on our way.”</p> -<p>The car made slow time on the winding dirt road. -However, the way was scenic, if dusty. Rugged, -snow-tipped mountains rimmed the valley. Their -high peaks were circled with lazy, fleecy clouds.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_102">102</div> -<p>The hot sun was high overhead when the car -wound along a stream of fast-running water and -emerged into a clearing.</p> -<p>A short distance ahead the Scouts saw a long log -cabin, a barn, and a fenced area.</p> -<p>“Cloud Crest Ranch,” Jack read on the gatepost.</p> -<p>He jumped out to unbar the gate so that the car -could pass through. Carefully, he closed it again -before they drove on to the ranch house.</p> -<p>The car’s approach was evidently noted from the -building for, as the Scouts alighted in front of the -ranch building, a man who was nearly six feet tall, -lean and muscular, came out the door.</p> -<p>At first glance they took him to be in his thirties, -but as he came closer they saw the shock of gray hair -and the lines on his face which made him seem -to be in his fifties.</p> -<p>“Howdy.”</p> -<p>The rancher was soft spoken, and he looked -straight at the Scouts as he greeted them. He wore -a red shirt and brown riding breeches.</p> -<p>“Craig Warner?” Mr. Livingston inquired.</p> -<p>“I am.”</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston gave his name and introduced -the Explorers. Since the rancher did not invite them -into the house, Mr. Livingston decided to make the -visit brief.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_103">103</div> -<p>Going straight to the point, he told Mr. Warner -of Old Stony’s death and his request that the map -to the Headless Hollow region be delivered to him.</p> -<p>“Well!” Warner exclaimed. “You know, I never -could figure out why that old fellow kept writing to -me!”</p> -<p>“You never knew that he was your father’s partner?” -Mr. Livingston asked.</p> -<p>“No. I was just a kid when my father went off -into the mountains prospecting, and he never came -back.”</p> -<p>“Stony didn’t tell you his connection with your -father?”</p> -<p>The rancher shook his head. “No. I answered only -one of his letters, I think. I couldn’t see any sense -in writing a stranger, so I let the correspondence -lapse. Stony, as you call him, never mentioned my -father, except to say he had known him. But he did -let on he owed me a great debt. I never could figure -that out.”</p> -<p>“He sent you a map,” Mr. Livingston said. “A -chart to an area where he claims there is a cache -of gold. He called it Headless Hollow.”</p> -<p>“Have you heard of it?” Jack asked, noticing the -startled expression of the rancher’s face.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_104">104</div> -<p>“Well, yes. Not by that name. But it must be -the same isolated valley where my father lost his -life—and the same area where Joe Hansart disappeared.”</p> -<p>“Another prospector?” Ken inquired.</p> -<p>“Joe disappeared six or seven years ago. He set -off into the canyons and never came back. It’s a bad -locality.”</p> -<p>Warner seemed suddenly to remember his manners.</p> -<p>“Come into the house,” he invited them. “We’ll -have a spot of coffee and give that map the once-over.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_105">105</div> -<h2 id="c12"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 12</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR</span></h2> -<p>“See that jagged peak with the patch of snow -almost at its tip? Right below is stunted timber -land. Well, that’s Crazy Mountain. I figure Headless -Hollow is somewhere in there behind those -tumbles of rock.”</p> -<p>Craig Warner stood at the cabin window, pointing -toward the distant horizon. Over mugs of strong, -steaming coffee, the Scouts had studied Old Stony’s -map with their rancher host. Somewhat to their -surprise, Warner had seemed impressed by the -crudely drawn paper as he compared it with a contour -map of the mountain area.</p> -<p>“Y’ know,” he confessed, his grin boyish, “I’ve -always had a hankering to find out what’s behind -those barriers. Here I’ve lived fairly close to the -place for years, and I never attempted it.”</p> -<p>“Well, you have a map now,” Mr. Livingston said. -“A motive, shall we say? So perhaps you’ll decide -to search for your fortune.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_106">106</div> -<p>The rancher laughed and shook his head. “I know -better than to place faith in tales of hidden gold. -The last great strike in this state was at Cripple -Creek, just behind Pikes Peak. That district had -been passed up for years because prospectors said -it lacked the usual signs.”</p> -<p>“Headless Hollow may be the same,” Jack said.</p> -<p>“Afraid not.” Warner placed the map in a drawer -of the living-room desk. “But the area might offer -uranium possibilities.”</p> -<p>“Has no one ever been there?” Ken asked. “Recently, -I mean?”</p> -<p>“Folks hereabouts are too busy to risk their necks -on crazy climbs. Besides, as I told you, the area -has a bad reputation.”</p> -<p>“You said something about a prospector disappearing -there,” Warwick reminded him.</p> -<p>“That was Joe Hansart. He was a strange character—one -of the real old-timers—always asking folks -to grubstake him. He’d disappear for months at a -time. Always broke when he showed up again. Well, -he became obsessed with the idea there was gold -somewhere on Crazy Mountain. About seven years -ago, I think it was, he packed out of here, heading -that way, and was never seen again.”</p> -<p>“Maybe he fell off a cliff,” Ken observed.</p> -<p>“The Headless Hollow locality has plenty of hazards. -Something happened to him, that’s sure.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_107">107</div> -<p>“Could he have stayed on there alone year after -year?” Jack asked thoughtfully.</p> -<p>“I don’t see how, but there’s a small lake where -a man could fish, and if he had ammunition he -could provide himself with meat. But the winters -are bitterly cold. No, I don’t figure even a tough -old knot like Joe Hansart could have made out. -He must be dead. The question is, how did he die?”</p> -<p>“That seems to trouble you,” Mr. Livingston said. -“Friend of yours?”</p> -<p>“Never set eyes on Joe except once or twice. It’s -the stories about Headless Hollow that bother me.”</p> -<p>“Stories?”</p> -<p>“It began years ago,” the rancher said, lighting -his pipe. “I suppose my father’s death and Stony’s -disappearance marked the beginning.”</p> -<p>“Was it known they were supposed to have struck -gold?”</p> -<p>“Well, you can’t keep such things completely -dark,” Warner replied with a smile. “I was a boy at -the time, so all I know is hearsay. At first, feeling -was high against Stony, because people thought he -was responsible for my father’s death. My mother -never shared that feeling. She always said the man -was falsely accused—that it must have been an -accident. But you know how folks are—they always -want to blame someone. Stony could have cleared -himself, but he ran away, and that made it look -bad.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_108">108</div> -<p>“You think Stony shot your father by accident?” -Ken questioned.</p> -<p>“Either that, or it was an Indian bullet, as Stony -claimed.”</p> -<p>“Do Indians live in the hollow?”</p> -<p>“No. The area is uninhabited, as far as I know. -Folks deliberately avoid that section of the mountain. -Prospectors who have tried to go there in recent -years—well, they just seem to have bad luck.”</p> -<p>“You’re referring to Joe Hansart’s disappearance?” -Mr. Livingston remarked.</p> -<p>“There have been other things, too,” the rancher -admitted reluctantly. “A couple of ambitious young -rock climbers thought they would tackle Crazy -Mountain two years ago. One of ’em had a bad -fall.”</p> -<p>“That could happen to anyone.”</p> -<p>“True. But this kid claimed someone above him -started an avalanche. No one hereabouts put any -stock in it—but it did serve to stir up rumors again.”</p> -<p>“Rumors?”</p> -<p>“Oh, I’m not superstitious, and I know you folks -aren’t, either. The tale is that the Spirit of Crazy -Mountain guards the place.”</p> -<p>“Folks who go there always have trouble?” Jack -asked, grinning.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_109">109</div> -<p>“Yeah. As I said, it’s a wild area—no place for -amateur climbers.”</p> -<p>“Odd you’ve never gone there yourself,” Mr. Livingston -said, eying the rancher thoughtfully.</p> -<p>“I’ve often wanted to,” Warner confessed, “especially -when I was younger and my legs were in -better condition.”</p> -<p>“You seem in pretty fair shape to me right now,” -the Scout leader replied.</p> -<p>“Oh, I try to keep fit.” Warner abruptly got up -and walked to the window again. Staring toward the -faraway mountains, he said: “I’d have tried to find -that valley years ago, but I never had the time. -Now—”</p> -<p>“Yes?” Mr. Livingston prodded as the rancher fell -into meditative silence.</p> -<p>“Well, it’s no climb to tackle alone. Frankly, there’s -no one hereabouts that I could take with me. Plenty -would be eager to go, but they’d be a hindrance, -not a help.”</p> -<p>“We know someone who would be tickled to go,” -War cut in with a chuckle.</p> -<p>“Oh?”</p> -<p>“You won’t want to meet him, either,” War -laughed.</p> -<p>He then mentioned Jarrett Walz’ name and told -to what lengths the motel owner had gone to gain -possession of the treasure map.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_110">110</div> -<p>“You don’t say!” Warner exclaimed, impressed. -“If he’s so keen on getting his hands on this map, -then it must have some value.”</p> -<p>“He thinks so,” said Mr. Livingston. “I would -advise you to keep that bit of paper in a safe -place.”</p> -<p>“Oh, no one ever comes here. Not once in a -month,” the rancher answered. “You’re my first visitors -since June. It’s a real pleasure having you.”</p> -<p>Warner, the Scouts now knew, lived alone, except -for two ranch hands who looked after the stock. He -had no wife or children.</p> -<p>After chatting a while longer, the Scouts started -to leave, but their host would not hear of it.</p> -<p>“Stay until tomorrow morning at least,” he urged. -“I like company, if it’s the right sort.”</p> -<p>The Scouts had enjoyed Craig Warner’s companionship, -and his invitation flattered them. When -Mr. Livingston left the decision to them, they voted -to remain.</p> -<p>Warner cooked a hearty lunch for the boys and -showed them around Cloud Crest. Whenever he was -out of doors, they noticed, his steel blue eyes roved -naturally to the distant peaks of Crazy Mountain.</p> -<p>“Y’ know,” he admitted with a self-conscious -laugh, “that map has fired my imagination! Not in -years have I felt so excited!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_111">111</div> -<p>“Gold fever?” Hap Livingston asked with a -chuckle.</p> -<p>“No,” the rancher answered soberly. “It’s more -than that. I’ve never seen my father’s grave. The tale -of gold interests me, but only incidentally. I want -to see this place you call Headless Hollow, because -its mystery lures me.”</p> -<p>“A trip such as that would require careful planning,” -Mr. Livingston observed.</p> -<p>“It would. That’s why so many who started for -the region met disaster. Their expeditions were badly -organized.”</p> -<p>Again Craig Warner became lost in thought. The -Scouts sensed that he was seriously considering making -practical use of the map they had turned over -to him.</p> -<p>“Y’ know, except for one thing, I’d start for Headless -Hollow at the drop of a hat,” the rancher suddenly -announced, leaning on the rail fence. “I could -get away from here for a week—”</p> -<p>“What’s that one thing holding you up?” Jack -asked curiously, though he thought he could guess -the answer.</p> -<p>“I know better than to go alone.”</p> -<p>“Maybe you won’t have to,” Jack drawled.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_112">112</div> -<p>For a minute, the other Scouts were mystified by -his remark. Then, following his gaze, they saw that -a car was coming up the winding dirt road toward -the ranch. It was a rented taxi.</p> -<p>A lone male passenger sat beside the driver. By -this time, the car was close enough for the Scouts -to make out the general outline of the man’s face.</p> -<p>The visitor was Jarrett Walz.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_113">113</div> -<h2 id="c13"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 13</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">THIEF IN THE NIGHT</span></h2> -<p>The rented car rolled up the lane and halted near -the fence where Craig Warner and the Scouts -waited.</p> -<p>Paying off the driver, Jarrett Walz strode over to -the group. He showed no surprise at seeing Mr. -Livingston and the Explorers, nor did he make any -apology for having followed them to the Cloud -Crest Ranch. In fact, he deliberately ignored the -Scouts, addressing Craig Warner.</p> -<p>“You don’t know me,” he said, offering his hand, -“but I’m Jarrett Walz from Rocking Horse. An old -friend of Stony’s.”</p> -<p>“Howdy,” the rancher responded. His manner was -neither friendly nor unfriendly.</p> -<p>The motel owner then launched into a glorified -account of the manner in which he had befriended -Old Stony. Mr. Livingston and the Scouts let him -run on without interruption.</p> -<p>Finally, Walz wound up his long-winded monologue -by asking Warner if the Explorers had turned -over the Headless Hollow map to him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_114">114</div> -<p>“I have it,” the rancher replied.</p> -<p>“I drove out here to make you a proposition,” -Walz rattled on. “How about you and me teaming -up for a bit of adventure?”</p> -<p>“You’re proposing we explore the Headless Hollow -region?” said Warner.</p> -<p>“Why not? It’s a good time of year—everything’s -in our favor. Since you have the map we may find -a valuable mine site—or at least a cache of ore.”</p> -<p>“I don’t team up with a man on an hour’s notice.”</p> -<p>“I realize I’m a stranger,” Walz said, “but if you -doubt my character, send a wire to anyone in Rocking -Horse.”</p> -<p>“I don’t need testimonials to judge a man,” Warner -replied dryly.</p> -<p>“How does the proposal strike you? The quicker -we get started, the better I’d like it.”</p> -<p>Warner did not answer the motel owner’s question -directly. Instead, he said, “No one has any business -on Crazy Mountain without a good pair of legs. A -trip such as you’re proposing would take a heap o’ -planning. You’d need supplies—a list made out with -care, because every pound you pack counts. Footwear’s -important, too.”</p> -<p>“Oh, mere details. I can buy anything I need in -an hour’s time. The essential thing is to have a guide -who knows the country.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_115">115</div> -<p>“You’ll not find anyone hereabouts that has ever -been to the Headless Hollow region.”</p> -<p>“You mean the place has never been explored?” -Walz demanded.</p> -<p>“Men have gone there,” Warner drawled, “but -they don’t seem to come back.”</p> -<p>The remark jarred Walz for a moment. “You’re -trying to scare me out of it!” he accused.</p> -<p>“No,” the rancher answered quietly. “Just giving -you the facts. I reckon a good mountain climber -who’s willing to take punishment could reach the -place, but he’d have to face hazards.”</p> -<p>“Bears? Cougars?”</p> -<p>“Animals shouldn’t give any trouble if a man -minds his business.”</p> -<p>“Then what is holding us back?” Walz demanded -impatiently. “Are you afraid of the climb?”</p> -<p>“It may be tricky finding a pass down into the -valley.”</p> -<p>“They told me in town you’re one of the best -mountaineers in this section—you and Pete Ranier, -the half-breed Indian.”</p> -<p>“Why don’t you talk to Pete?” Warner suggested. -“He might be induced to take you to the Headless -region—for a price.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_116">116</div> -<p>“But he doesn’t have the map,” Walz growled. -“That’s why I don’t want to team up with him. Besides, -he’s a heavy drinker, they tell me—reliable -only when he’s sober.”</p> -<p>“You’re welcome to stay here tonight,” Warner -said. “We’ll talk some more. Maybe we can get -together.”</p> -<p>“Fine!” the motel owner responded heartily. “I -thought you’d see it my way. You team up with me, -and I’ll pay all the expenses. If we hit it lucky, we’ll -split any way you want.”</p> -<p>The Scouts remained out of doors while Warner -showed Walz to a room.</p> -<p>“I wonder if this isn’t our cue to pull out of here?” -Mr. Livingston remarked. “It’s not going to be pleasant, -now that Walz has come.”</p> -<p>“He’ll only try to make us look bad,” Jack -agreed.</p> -<p>When Craig Warner came outside alone, the -Scouts mentioned leaving, but he would not hear -of it.</p> -<p>“I couldn’t turn Walz away,” he said. “As for teaming -up with him, I’m not even considering it. Stick -around, boys. Things may get interesting.”</p> -<p>Whenever the rancher was near, Walz deliberately -avoided the Scouts. Late in the afternoon, however, -he ran into Jack and Ken near the corrals. They -would have passed him without a word, if he had -not blocked their way.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_117">117</div> -<p>“You’ve been telling Warner things about me that -aren’t true!” he declared.</p> -<p>Ken and Jack were amused by the accusation. -It did not seem deserving of a reply.</p> -<p>“Get this!” Walz snapped. “I want that map, and -I mean to get it! I’m warning you not to interfere! -If you do—”</p> -<p>“If we do—what?”</p> -<p>“You’ll find out!” Walz blustered. “I’m fed up -with your meddling. Take my advice and drive on!”</p> -<p>“We like the scenery,” Jack retorted, “so we’re -staying.”</p> -<p>After the early chores were done, Warner told -his visitors he would take them over to see Tarta -Lake.</p> -<p>“It’s only a little hike,” he said. “Figured we could -tote our grub up there and cook supper under the -stars.”</p> -<p>The Explorers fell in with the plan at once. Walz -seemed annoyed, but he kept his thoughts to himself.</p> -<p>They set off single file up a gentle slope, Warner -leading the way. He had an easy, fast, smooth stride, -which the Scouts deliberately imitated. Walz kept -up at first, then fell to the end of the line. When -the climb became more difficult—rocky and steep—Walz -sat down to empty gravel from his shoes.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_118">118</div> -<p>“How much farther?” he puffed.</p> -<p>“Not more than a mile,” the rancher replied.</p> -<p>The Scouts were all in good condition, and therefore -the sharp climb was no test for their sturdy, -muscular legs. Even War, who tired more easily -than his older crew mates, found his breath holding.</p> -<p>At Tarta Lake Walz collapsed on the grass. He -rested while Warner and the Scouts built a fire and -set steaks to broiling.</p> -<p>The mountains had brought peace and relaxation -to the Explorers. Even their irritation at Walz faded -away as they gathered about the glowing log for -an hour of rest and talk.</p> -<p>Warner, usually quiet, related a variety of stories -about the area. Purposely, however, he avoided mention -of Headless Hollow.</p> -<p>“It’s queer about mountains,” he said, watching -sparks fly up from the fire. “They have a way of -showing a man for what he is.”</p> -<p>Walz eyed him suspiciously but made no comment.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_119">119</div> -<p>Soon it was time to start back to the ranch. Warner -made certain every spark of the fire was out, and -they began the long trek. Obviously very tired, -Walz dragged at the end of the line. Warner slowed -his pace, but even so the motel owner could not keep -up. Once he stumbled against a tree and gave it a -savage kick.</p> -<p>Finally, when they were at the ranch once more, -the motel owner collapsed on the davenport with a -little moan.</p> -<p>“I’m a mite out of condition,” he admitted. “A -couple of days on the trail, and my muscles will be -okay again. Most of my trouble today came from -having the wrong kind of shoes.”</p> -<p>“A mountain can give a fellow quite a beating,” -was Warner’s only comment.</p> -<p>After an hour of rest, Walz regained his strength. -With reviving zest for the Headless Hollow adventure, -he began to press Warner for a decision.</p> -<p>The rancher regarded him in surprise. “Haven’t -the mountains given you your answer?”</p> -<p>“That jaunt we took was no fair test! Once I get -better equipment—”</p> -<p>“Headless Valley is no place for an amateur,” -Warner told him. “If you’re dead set on going there, -Pete Ranier might take you. I doubt it, though. You’d -be asking for trouble.”</p> -<p>“At least show me the map.”</p> -<p>The rancher hesitated. Then, apparently deciding -his guest could make no practical use of it, he unlocked -the paper from the desk drawer. Eagerly, -Walz pored over it, his dark eyes sparkling.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_120">120</div> -<p>“Let me make a copy of this!” he demanded.</p> -<p>Warner had begun to regret even showing the -paper to the motel owner.</p> -<p>“Sorry,” he replied.</p> -<p>Taking the map from Walz, he relocked it in the -desk.</p> -<p>“Walz,” the rancher said, eying him steadily, “you -don’t seem to understand what I’ve told you about -the Headless Hollow region. It’s a dangerous spot -for any man, even if he’s at home in the mountains. -You’d be a fool to attempt it, even with a -guide.”</p> -<p>“Who says I’m going to?” Walz retorted.</p> -<p>With a shrug, he bade the group goodnight and -went to the room assigned to him.</p> -<p>The Scouts soon retired, for the long hike and the -fresh mountain air had made everyone very tired. -They slept soundly, hearing nothing until Mr. Livingston -pounded on their bedroom doors the next -morning.</p> -<p>Ken and Jack were the first to get dressed and -down to the kitchen. Warner was there ahead of -them, frying bacon and expertly tossing flapjacks.</p> -<p>“Morning,” he greeted the pair cheerfully. “Sleep -well?”</p> -<p>“Like logs,” Jack answered. “How’s Walz this -morning? Still worn out?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_121">121</div> -<p>“I wouldn’t know,” the rancher drawled. “Our -friend is no longer with us.”</p> -<p>“He left during the night?” Jack asked in astonishment.</p> -<p>“Reckon so. Brace yourselves, boys. Your car is -gone.”</p> -<p>As the Scouts accepted this news in stunned silence, -Warner added: “That’s not all. Our impulsive -friend likewise has stolen the map!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_122">122</div> -<h2 id="c14"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 14</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">GHOST TOWN</span></h2> -<p>“The car gone?” Jack echoed the rancher’s words. -“And the map too?”</p> -<p>“When did it happen?” Ken asked.</p> -<p>Craig Warner flipped another pancake, adding it -to the stack he had baked.</p> -<p>“Don’t know. Some time during the night. I discovered -the desk broken into when I came downstairs -about twenty minutes ago.”</p> -<p>“If our car’s gone, we’re stranded,” Jack said -slowly.</p> -<p>“I’ve already telephoned the sheriff. Don’t let it -upset you. I figure Warner probably won’t go far. -He has only one objective.”</p> -<p>“Headless Hollow,” Jack suggested.</p> -<p>“And he can’t drive the car up Crazy Mountain,” -the rancher added dryly. “We’ll catch up with him. -After breakfast, I’ll drive you to Elks Creek.”</p> -<p>Warner’s casual view of the situation only partly -reassured the Scouts. Jack and Ken went at once -to impart the bad news to the others.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_123">123</div> -<p>“So Walz really is a crook!” Warwick burst out -angrily.</p> -<p>It was impossible to determine how long Walz -had been away from the ranch. However, Willie -recalled that an hour or two before dawn he had -heard an automobile motor.</p> -<p>“I was so sleepy I didn’t pay much attention!” -he reproved himself. “Chump!”</p> -<p>The Explorers tried not to talk too much about the -loss of their car, but of course it worried them. They -were hundreds of miles from Belton City, and their -money had run low. They knew they could wire -their parents for more, but they had no intention -of doing so except in an absolute emergency.</p> -<p>As they ate breakfast, Craig Warner seemed in as -good spirits as ever. The loss of the map didn’t -appear to disturb him.</p> -<p>“I can draw it myself from memory,” he said. -“That paper won’t be nearly the help to Walz he -thinks it will.”</p> -<p>“Your guess is he’ll head straight for the mountain?” -Mr. Livingston asked.</p> -<p>The rancher nodded as he refilled the coffee cups. -“He’ll tackle it if he can get anyone to go with him. -Pete Ranier might be crazy enough to do it—for a -price.”</p> -<p>“Is he a reliable guide?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_124">124</div> -<p>“One of the best, when he’s sober—and that isn’t -often. But he has a fiery temper. He and our friend -Walz would be sure to tangle. Ranier can’t stand -a tenderfoot.”</p> -<p>The Scouts ate rapidly, impatient to be off in pursuit -of Walz. Their host, on the other hand, was -deliberate. Certainly he seemed in no hurry to drive -them to town.</p> -<p>“Practically all our stuff is in that car,” Willie -muttered to Jack as they stood in the yard, waiting -for the rancher to start his motor in the barn. -“Doesn’t he give a darn?”</p> -<p>Warner backed out the car and then went into -the house again. When he returned, he was grinning.</p> -<p>“Good news, boys!” he told them. “The sheriff’s -found your car.”</p> -<p>“Where?” Jack demanded eagerly.</p> -<p>“Abandoned at Elks Creek. I figured Warner -wouldn’t take it very far.”</p> -<p>“How about our stuff?”</p> -<p>“That I don’t know.”</p> -<p>Though Warner’s car was old, it was durable. The -Explorers all piled in, and the drive to Elks Creek -was made in fast time. They found Mr. Livingston’s -sedan on a side street near a gas station. One of -the tires was flat, but otherwise the car seemed not -to have been damaged.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_125">125</div> -<p>Quickly the Scouts checked their luggage. A -sleeping bag was missing, as well as one of the pup -tents and a set of nested pans.</p> -<p>“At least Walz took only what he figured he’d -need,” Ken said in disgust.</p> -<p>Inquiry established that Walz had been seen -going to Ranier’s shack shortly after dawn.</p> -<p>Apparently the two had come to an agreement, -for they had bought supplies and started off in the -guide’s old car.</p> -<p>“They’re heading for Crazy Mountain,” Warner -decided. “Ranier should have better sense than to -start off with a fellow like Walz. He probably figures -Walz will buckle up after a day on the trail and -call the deal off.”</p> -<p>“He might be stubborn enough to keep on and -get into real trouble,” Mr. Livingston said soberly. -“He has the gold fever pretty bad.”</p> -<p>“I’m getting it myself,” the rancher confessed -with a chuckle. “Maybe I’ll sling together an outfit -and pack after him. I’d like to get that map back.”</p> -<p>“Would you head for Headless Hollow alone?” -the Scout leader asked in surprise.</p> -<p>“Not if I can get you and your boys to come -along.”</p> -<p>The Scouts regarded the rancher in surprise.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_126">126</div> -<p>“It will be no trick to pick up Walz’ trail,” he said. -“With luck we can overtake him by tomorrow. When -we do, we’ll teach our friend a little lesson in manners.”</p> -<p>An expedition, even a short distance into the -mountains, was not to be undertaken lightly, and -Mr. Livingston had no great enthusiasm for the -venture. Nevertheless, he agreed with the Scouts -that Walz ought to be brought to justice and forced -to pay for the articles he had stolen.</p> -<p>“Besides,” War urged eagerly, “don’t we owe it -to Stony to see that Walz never gets his hands on -any gold?”</p> -<p>“I can see you’re all for the trip,” Mr. Livingston -said. “But isn’t this a job for the sheriff?”</p> -<p>“It is,” Warner agreed, “but getting the sheriff -to tackle Crazy Mountain is another proposition. -He’ll never do it.”</p> -<p>The whole matter was debated thoroughly, and -in the end the Scout leader was persuaded by the -Explorers to give his consent.</p> -<p>“Just what will develop if we do overtake Walz -worries me,” Mr. Livingston admitted. “We can’t -take the law into our own hands.”</p> -<p>“Leave that part to me,” Warner said grimly. “I -know how to handle men of his stripe. We’ll bring -him back and turn him over to the authorities. -Sheriff Brown will deputize me.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_127">127</div> -<p>It was believed that Walz and his guide could -be overtaken speedily but, to prepare for any possible -emergency, the group decided to pack enough -supplies for several days on the trail.</p> -<p>“Walz will never reach the Headless Hollow Valley,” -the rancher predicted confidently. “Alone, -Ranier might do it. But if I know him, he’s in this -expedition only for a bit of quick cash.”</p> -<p>Despite the need for haste, Craig Warner and Mr. -Livingston were very thorough in their planning. -Warner bought the supplies, including a vial of -saccharin for sugar because of its lightness, some -powdered milk, flour mix, oatmeal, dried fruit, salt, -tea, and coffee. He also added a first-aid kit, a fishing -rod, and a revolver borrowed from a friend when -Sheriff Brown made him a deputy.</p> -<p>One of Warner’s ranch hands drove the party to -Buckhorn and on to the beginning of the mountain -road. There the six climbers shouldered heavy packs -and trudged upward, at first following a marked trail. -After a while, the trail played out, and the going -became harder.</p> -<p>Making only brief stops for rest, they climbed -steadily, through ravines and steep-walled canyons. -At intervals, Warner raked the distant rock shelves -with his field glass, but he failed to sight the two -men he believed to have gone on ahead.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_128">128</div> -<p>The day was cloudless, and a warm sun blazed -down. Laboring under the heavy packs, the Scouts -perspired profusely. Their leg muscles, tough as -they were, began to ache. No one, however, made -complaint or suggested a slower pace. When they -paused to drink at a spring and refill canteens, Warner -consulted the rough map he had redrawn from -memory and compared it with an accurate contour -map.</p> -<p>“It’s only fair to warn you,” he said, “the climb -so far is only a tiny taste of what’s ahead.”</p> -<p>With a pencil, he made a dotted line, showing -their projected route over the top of the mountain -and down to an isolated valley. Then the line went -up again into the higher, desolate peaks of Crazy -Mountain.</p> -<p>“Our problem—if we follow Walz that far,” the -rancher said, frowning thoughtfully, “is to find a -pass through to the Headless Hollow region. It may -not be easy. So if anyone wants to turn back, now’s -the time to say so.”</p> -<p>One and all, the Scouts shook their heads.</p> -<p>“Okay,” Warner said, well pleased. “Then let’s hit -the trail. No time is to be lost if we’re going to overtake -Walz.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_129">129</div> -<p>For hours, the party trudged on. They passed -the water line into an area where the trees were -twisted into grotesque shapes before they thinned -out to only occasional trunks. Higher up, timber -disappeared entirely. The air became light and -chilly.</p> -<p>War and Willie were hard pressed to keep up -with the others. Despite their fatigue, Warner had -to keep on, for it was growing late and the area -offered no suitable camp site.</p> -<p>On the other slope of the mountain the descent -was easier, but by the time the rancher finally called -a halt on a rock shelf above a racing stream, everyone -was worn out.</p> -<p>“How do you figure Walz has managed to come -this far?” Willie muttered, dropping his pack. “I -never thought he had it in him.”</p> -<p>“Maybe we’ve lost him,” Jack replied. “We’ve -not seen a trace of him or his guide since we left -Elks Creek this morning.”</p> -<p>While the others busied themselves making camp, -Jack and Warner scanned the ravines and mountainside -with the powerful field glass.</p> -<p>“See any smoke?” the rancher asked.</p> -<p>Jack lowered the glass. “No trace of a camp. But -I thought you said this was uninhabited country.”</p> -<p>“It is.”</p> -<p>“Not quite. A town is hidden down there on the -slope. I can see buildings.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_130">130</div> -<p>The rancher smiled broadly. “Any people?”</p> -<p>Again Jack studied the distant cluster of buildings -through the glass. “That’s funny,” he acknowledged. -“The place looks lifeless. Dead.”</p> -<p>“You’re looking at a ghost town, Jack. No one has -lived there for thirty years.”</p> -<p>“No one?”</p> -<p>“That’s right. The town flourished in the old gold -days—then was deserted. It’s cut off from roads -and railroads. All supplies had to be packed in. So -when the gold bubble blew up, miners pulled out.”</p> -<p>“Well, the town has an occupant now,” Jack announced, -a trace of excitement in his voice.</p> -<p>“Walz?” the rancher demanded eagerly.</p> -<p>Jack shook his head, offering the glass to Warner.</p> -<p>“Not Walz. His guide, perhaps. I saw a fellow -with long white hair and a beard. I caught a -glimpse of him before he went into one of the buildings.”</p> -<p>Warner gazed oddly at Jack as he began to adjust -the powerful glass.</p> -<p>“Ranier,” he drawled, “doesn’t have a beard, or -white hair either.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_131">131</div> -<h2 id="c15"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 15</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">WARM ASHES</span></h2> -<p>For some minutes, Craig Warner studied the ghost -town below the Scout camp.</p> -<p>“I don’t see anyone,” he told Jack. “Sure you saw -a man?”</p> -<p>“I’m certain.”</p> -<p>“And he had a white beard?”</p> -<p>“Well, I thought so,” Jack replied. “It’s getting -dark, though. I suppose I could have been mistaken.”</p> -<p>“It may have been Walz,” the rancher decided, -lowering the field glass.</p> -<p>That night, there was little talk over the camp -fire. The Scouts were tired, especially Warwick and -Willie, and everyone turned in the minute the work -was done.</p> -<p>They used fir boughs for beds, but even so the -hard rock shelf was so uncomfortable that Jack slept -fitfully. His legs hurt from the long, hard climb. His -back ached, too. No matter how he adjusted himself, -the cold night air seemed to hit him. He could hear -Willie and War moaning and tossing not far away.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_132">132</div> -<p>Of the Explorers, only Ken appeared to be getting a -sound night’s sleep.</p> -<p>Jack was up at dawn, ready to help Craig Warner -build the fire and start breakfast. Cups of strong -black coffee, oatmeal, and pancakes made everyone -feel better and revived zest for the adventure.</p> -<p>While the Scouts fixed their packs, Mr. Livingston -and the rancher carefully went over the contour -map.</p> -<p>“We’ll swing down to the old ghost town,” Warner -decided. “Then we’ll have a hard climb to the pass -which leads into the Headless Hollow area. We may -not be lucky enough to find a way through.”</p> -<p>“That’s where Walz has the advantage of us,” -Mr. Livingston replied. “The map he has probably -shows the way.”</p> -<p>Since the Scouts had caught no glimpse of Walz -and his guide, they had begun to wonder if they -were following a phantom trail.</p> -<p>“I’d like to catch up with Walz,” the rancher said. -“I sure would. But if we miss him, it may save us a -lot of trouble.”</p> -<p>“In any case, you’ll push on to the Hollow?” Ken -asked hopefully.</p> -<p>“I want to. Since we’ve come this far, we may as -well have a look at that valley. This may be our -only chance.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_133">133</div> -<p>The decision pleased the Scouts. Tired though -they were, the hard climb was a challenge. Besides, -they felt they never would be satisfied until they -learned whether or not Old Stony’s tale of the valley -was true.</p> -<p>With the distant ghost town as the immediate -objective, the party soon started the sharp descent.</p> -<p>“Keep close together, boys,” Warner warned. “We -don’t want to start any rock slides.”</p> -<p>The footing was slippery. Twice War, who had -not balanced his horseshoe pack well that morning, -stumbled and would have fallen if Jack had not -seized his arm.</p> -<p>“Careful,” the rancher warned again. “A broken -leg or even a sprained ankle could be a serious -matter, now that we’re so far from help.”</p> -<p>As they continued, Jack saw the rancher glance -frequently at the younger boys. War was a fairly -new member of the Explorers and not so well -seasoned as the others to withstand hardships. Jack -himself wondered if War would be able to hold out.</p> -<p>At noon, the party stopped briefly by a stream, to -drink and refill canteens. While the others rested, -Warner whipped the pools with his fly rod and -brought in four handsome trout for the meal.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_134">134</div> -<p>The halt refreshed War only for a while. Soon -it was apparent that he was beginning to falter. -Warner, who was leading, slowed his pace but, even -so, both War and Willie trailed.</p> -<p>It was a relief when finally, hours later, the party -trudged into the old ghost town which had been -built hard against the shadowy mountainside. The -silence of the place was almost oppressive.</p> -<p>Dropping his pack, Jack stared at the unpainted -wooden buildings which had fallen into decay. The -two that were made of stone and brick were in -somewhat better condition. The row of old, deserted -cabins gave him an eerie, uneasy feeling. He wandered -into one of the musty buildings.</p> -<p>Suddenly he heard Ken call. Stepping outside, he -saw his friend in the doorway of the best-preserved -building.</p> -<p>“Come here,” Ken urged.</p> -<p>Jack went quickly across the empty, dusty street.</p> -<p>“This is no ghost town,” Ken said in a low tone.</p> -<p>“What d’ you mean, Ken?”</p> -<p>“I’ll show you.”</p> -<p>Ken led inside to the stone-and-clay fireplace -where ashes lay deep on the hearth. Beside the -fireplace was a pile of neatly stacked wood.</p> -<p>“Feel those ashes,” Ken directed.</p> -<p>There was no need for Jack to do so for, when he -stirred them with the toe of his boot, they gave off -a thread of smoke.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_135">135</div> -<p>“Someone’s been here!” Ken announced. “In the -last few hours, too.”</p> -<p>“Then I was right!”</p> -<p>“What d’you mean, right?”</p> -<p>“Last night I was sure I saw someone through -the field glass.”</p> -<p>“You didn’t mention it.”</p> -<p>“I did to Craig Warner. He thought I was mistaken, -or that perhaps it was Walz.”</p> -<p>“Someone had a fire here in the last few hours,” -Ken said reflectively. “Did you see smoke rising?”</p> -<p>Jack shook his head.</p> -<p>“Maybe it was Walz with his guide,” Ken decided, -frowning. “Probably they camped here last -night.”</p> -<p>“It wasn’t Walz,” Jack insisted. “And I don’t think -the fellow I saw through the field glass was his guide, -either.”</p> -<p>“Who else could it be?”</p> -<p>“Stony’s ghost maybe,” Jack said, chuckling. Then -he sobered. “Guess we should warn the fellows. -Someone might be prowling around here even now.”</p> -<p>“What you’re suggesting is sort of fantastic,” Ken -protested. “This ghost town is out of the way. Why -would anyone except Walz come here?”</p> -<p>“Maybe word has leaked out about Stony’s cache -of gold.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_136">136</div> -<p>“Whoever it is, he’s been here for quite a while, -Jack. Not just overnight.”</p> -<p>His gaze sharpened by Ken’s remark, Jack made -a more minute inspection of the room. He saw a -pile of empty tin cans, a clear indication that someone -had eaten many meals here. Match stubs were -scattered on the floor. The rotted boards, too, had -been tracked heavily with mud, that was now dry.</p> -<p>Disturbed by their discovery, Ken and Jack went -to warn the others. By this time, however, the Scouts -had wandered through every building in the little -town without seeing anyone.</p> -<p>“If anyone was here, he’s gone now,” Willie remarked, -unworried.</p> -<p>Mr. Warner was inclined to think a prospector -searching for uranium might have chanced that way. -He seemed untroubled, so Jack and Ken decided -they probably were making too much of the matter. -No more was said.</p> -<p>Of far more concern was War’s state of weariness. -Though he made no complaint and stubbornly insisted -he felt able to go on, everyone could see that -his strength had been overtaxed. After a quiet talk, -Mr. Livingston and the rancher decided to make -camp at the ghost town.</p> -<p>“You’re stopping because of me,” War protested. -“I can make it okay.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_137">137</div> -<p>“We’re all tired,” Warner told him. “From here on, -the climb will be rugged. No use killing ourselves.”</p> -<p>“I’ll feel fine by morning,” War declared, plainly -relieved that the party would not press on at once. -“All I need is a good night’s rest.”</p> -<p>Preferring to sleep under the stars, the Scouts -set their camp in a sheltered spot at the edge of -the empty little village. That night, around the camp -fire Warner told the boys of the old Colorado boom -days when mining towns had flourished.</p> -<p>“Nearly all of the old camps have shriveled and -fallen into decay,” he said. “Some have become -tourist attractions. Not this place, because it is -inaccessible except to a hardy climber.”</p> -<p>War was the first to turn in for the night, and -the others prepared to follow. Jack stood a moment, -staring up at the jagged mountain peaks. Their way -on the morrow lay amid a tumbled mass of rocks -and pinnacles, with ridges running in several directions. -Would Warner be able to find the pass?</p> -<p>Unnoticed, Mr. Livingston came up behind him.</p> -<p>“A penny for your thoughts, Jack.”</p> -<p>“They’re worth less. I was thinking we’re in for -a real test tomorrow.”</p> -<p>“We are,” the Scout leader agreed, “and, frankly, -I’m worried about War.”</p> -<p>“His condition?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_138">138</div> -<p>“Yes. He has determination and nerve, but he’s -not up to a trip as hard as this one.”</p> -<p>“What can we do?”</p> -<p>“Nothing except make it as easy as we can for him. -Warner and I will lighten his pack tomorrow. We -can’t cache any of the food, because we’re likely -to run short as it is.”</p> -<p>On the mountainside the night was bitterly cold. -Nevertheless, everyone slept soundly until dawn.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_139">139</div> -<h2 id="c16"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 16</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">MISSING SUPPLIES</span></h2> -<p>Warner, the first one up, started the fire going and -began mixing pan bread. Jack cut more wood and -then went to get supplies from his pack.</p> -<p>“Hey, who took my stuff?” he demanded loudly.</p> -<p>The pack was not hanging where he had left it -the previous night. While he searched, Willie let -out a yip.</p> -<p>“Hey, the food I carried is gone too!” he yelled. -“All the tea, the flour, and our raisins!”</p> -<p>Grimly, Mr. Livingston and the rancher joined -in the search. Very quickly they realized it was a -waste of time.</p> -<p>“Someone sneaked up here during the night and -went off with the stuff!” Jack said angrily.</p> -<p>The loss of so much food was a serious matter. -Carefully, the Scouts searched every building in -the old ghost town. They came upon no one. However, -as they went from cabin to cabin, they experienced -a strange, uneasy feeling.</p> -<p>“I feel as if someone is watching us,” Jack muttered, -expressing the thoughts of the others.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_140">140</div> -<p>Back at camp, Warner rounded up everyone for -a conference.</p> -<p>“Loss of our food is serious,” he said. “We have -some left, but not enough to go on.”</p> -<p>The Scouts regarded him with sober faces. Until -this moment, they had not realized how much it -meant to them to attain their goal—Headless Hollow.</p> -<p>“What’s the verdict?” Jack asked, after a long -silence.</p> -<p>“I hate to say this, boys,” the rancher replied. -“But we’re up against it. There’s nothing we can do -but turn back.”</p> -<p>Jack poked at the rocks with a stick, thinking -over the rancher’s decision. He knew it was a wise -one. So did all the Scouts.</p> -<p>“It’s like this,” Warner said. “I’ve made a fast -check of our supplies. If we don’t have any further -bad luck, there’s barely enough food to get us to -Headless Valley, with nothing for the return trip.”</p> -<p>“Fish,” Willie said hopefully. “We could cut our -rations.”</p> -<p>“Afraid it wouldn’t help much. We’ve made slower -time than I figured. Naturally, we’ve consumed more -food, and we were short enough even without this -theft.”</p> -<p>“Who do you figure did it?” Jack speculated. “Not -Walz?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_141">141</div> -<p>“I doubt Walz got this far. If he headed for -the hollow as we assumed, he may have gone by -a different route.”</p> -<p>“That fellow I saw through the field glass may -have done it,” Jack pursued.</p> -<p>“Could be,” Warner agreed. “I thought you were -wrong night before last when you said you saw -someone, but it seems I was.”</p> -<p>“Stealing a man’s food is serious business,” Mr. -Livingston remarked.</p> -<p>“It is,” the rancher agreed. “Why didn’t the fellow—whoever -he was—come forward and ask for what -he needed?”</p> -<p>“Where is he now? That’s what I want to know,” -Willie grunted.</p> -<p>“Probably hiding out somewhere in the rocks and -trees,” Warner replied. “For that matter, if he’s -unfriendly, he could take a pot shot at us.”</p> -<p>“You assume he’s armed?” Mr. Livingston asked in -surprise.</p> -<p>“Why not?” Warner hesitated and then added: -“Along with the food, he took my gun. I thought I -wouldn’t worry you by saying anything about it, -but reckon I should.”</p> -<p>This additional bad news hit the Scouts hard. -It was War who broke the gloomy silence.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_142">142</div> -<p>“I’ve been a drag,” he admitted. “No, don’t try -to feed me any soft soap. This is my point: suppose -I turn back? Wouldn’t you have enough grub for -the rest of the party?”</p> -<p>“It would be shaving it too close,” Warner replied.</p> -<p>“Maybe if two of us went back—?” suggested -Willie slowly. “For instance, War and me.”</p> -<p>“Even at that, I doubt we could make it,” Warner -said after a moment’s thought. “Thanks, boys, for -offering.”</p> -<p>“Is there a forest ranger’s station near Elks Creek?” -Jack asked suddenly.</p> -<p>“Yes,” Warner told him.</p> -<p>“Does the service have patrol planes?”</p> -<p>“Yes. They’re stationed about fifteen miles from -Elks Creek.”</p> -<p>“The Headless Hollow area has a lake,” Jack -reminded the group. “Do you suppose it would be -possible to get the rangers to fly over that lake and -drop a supply of food?”</p> -<p>“Jack, you have a brain!” Ken exclaimed. “Only -how do we get word to the rangers?”</p> -<p>“That part’s easy,” Willie said quietly. “War and -I will carry the message.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_143">143</div> -<p>The unselfishness of the two Scouts drew everyone’s -admiration. Jack and Ken insisted that if anyone -turned back, they would be the ones to do it. -But in this they were overruled by both Mr. Livingston -and the rancher.</p> -<p>After a thorough discussion, Willie’s plan prevailed. -Accordingly, he and War took light packs -with just enough food and bedding to see them -safely back to Elks Creek.</p> -<p>“We’ll have a plane speeding to Headless Hollow -in a couple of days,” Willie promised. “But if it -should be a little longer, don’t worry. We’ll get it -there somehow.”</p> -<p>“Take the return trip slowly,” Mr. Livingston -urged them.</p> -<p>He offered to go with them, but they would not -hear of it. War insisted that he felt strong again -after his night’s rest and could make the return -journey without difficulty.</p> -<p>“It’s better this way,” he said. “When I took a -look at that mountain last night, I knew I never -could make it to the pass.”</p> -<p>“Just be sure you bring back some gold,” Willie -said with a grin, as the Scouts bade him good-by. -“And keep your eyes peeled for trouble.”</p> -<p>The two trudged off, turning once to wave. Shouldering -their packs, the others then started on the -long climb in the opposite direction.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_144">144</div> -<p>The sun glistened brightly on the high peaks. -Jack tried to distinguish the two sentinel rocks which -Old Stony had led them to believe guarded the -entrance into the valley. However, all the peaks -looked alike to him.</p> -<p>Warner had not exaggerated in warning that the -climb would be hard. After two hours of it, the -Scouts welcomed a rest. Jack dropped his bedroll -and stretched out flat on his back.</p> -<p>Shading his eyes against the glare of the sun, he -let his gaze wander over the distant peaks again. -For just an instant, he thought he saw the flash of -color against granite rock. Getting quickly to his feet, -he asked Warner for his field glass.</p> -<p>“What do you see?” Ken demanded as Jack trained -it on the rocks far above them. “The old man with -whiskers?”</p> -<p>“Nothing,” Jack reported, crestfallen. “Thought -for a minute it was someone’s red shirt.”</p> -<p>“You’re seeing things for sure!”</p> -<p>“Guess so,” Jack conceded with a grin. He returned -the glass to its case and flopped on the -ground once more.</p> -<p>After a twenty-minute rest, the party started on.</p> -<p>The way became increasingly difficult and the -footing insecure. Once Jack dislodged a small rock -and it clattered down the mountainside hundreds of -feet. Canyons bore the scars of sizable slides. Warner -told the Scouts that in winter avalanches were a great -hazard in this area—that even a small rock slide -could be very dangerous.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_145">145</div> -<p>Lunch was frugal. Mr. Livingston boiled water -for tea, but in the high altitude it took a long while. -The Scouts satisfied themselves with crackers and -cheese.</p> -<p>“It’s always wise to eat lightly when you’re climbing,” -Jack said with a grin.</p> -<p>For another hour, they fought their way upward -through the tumbled rocks. It was Warner’s hope -that they could find the pass and before nightfall -descend to a good camp site in the valley.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_146">146</div> -<h2 id="c17"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 17</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">AVALANCHE</span></h2> -<p>The party worked itself on up toward the summit, -climbing doggedly, single file—when suddenly a -strange noise was heard.</p> -<p>Warner, in the lead, looked up quickly. A giant -boulder was hurtling down the steep mountainside, -taking all before it.</p> -<p>“Stand where you are!” he shouted hoarsely. -“Don’t move!”</p> -<p>As the great boulder bounded down the mountainside -toward the Scouts, they stood frozen. It was -impossible to guess the exact course the big stone -would take, for it was careening wildly.</p> -<p>To run when the footing was so treacherous would -have been far more dangerous than to remain where -they were. Craig Warner, an experienced mountaineer, -had made his split-second decision and his -shout of warning had been instantly obeyed by the -Explorers. However, to remain motionless as the -massive rock raced toward them required almost -more willpower than they could command.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_147">147</div> -<p>The crisis came quickly. The huge boulder, showering -loose rock in all directions, loomed above -the boys. Then as quickly as the danger had come, -it was over. With the speed of an express train, the -rock swept past them. By scant inches it missed Ken, -setting up a breeze as it rushed by.</p> -<p>On rolled the big rock to crash hundreds of feet -below in a tangle of twisted pines.</p> -<p>“Wow! That was close!” Ken exclaimed when he -had recovered speech.</p> -<p>Jack, breathing hard, asked shakily, “What started -that rock rolling down the mountain? An animal?”</p> -<p>“A two-legged one, I suspect,” rejoined Warner, -his voice tight.</p> -<p>He adjusted his field glass to train it on the rocks -high above them.</p> -<p>Lowering it after several minutes, he said: “No -question about it. That rock was dislodged purposely.”</p> -<p>“By whom?” Jack demanded.</p> -<p>“I glimpsed the fellow only for an instant when -I first saw the rock coming our way. Then he ducked -back out of sight.”</p> -<p>“It wasn’t Walz?” Mr. Livingston asked.</p> -<p>“I don’t think so, but I couldn’t be sure,” the -rancher returned, squinting thoughtfully into the -sun.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_148">148</div> -<p>“Maybe it’s that same bird who stole our food,” -Jack speculated. “For an unpopulated mountain, -this place seems to have quite a bit of activity.”</p> -<p>“Too much,” Warner tersely agreed.</p> -<p>The near disaster had slightly unnerved everyone. -Both Mr. Livingston and Craig Warner were puzzled, -for the rancher said again that he knew of no -prospector who frequented Crazy Mountain.</p> -<p>“Why would anyone want to prevent us from -reaching the pass?” he speculated. “Walz would -have a reason, but I doubt he ever got this far. Even -with Ranier he certainly couldn’t have made it.”</p> -<p>“Someone else may know about the cache of -gold,” Jack suggested.</p> -<p>“It begins to look that way,” Warner agreed. -“Either that, or we’re dealing with a screwball. If -a man lives too long alone—well, sometimes his mind -becomes twisted.”</p> -<p>After a brief rest, the party struggled on, the -mystery unsolved. Warner used exceeding caution, -keeping almost constant watch of the ledges above. -But he didn’t get a glimpse of anyone.</p> -<p>Climbing was slow work, and the Scouts were -hampered by the necessity for keeping constantly -alert for further trouble from above. A misstep -could have meant a bad fall because below were -enormous cliffs and breath-taking drops.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_149">149</div> -<p>“With luck, we should soon reach the pass,” Warner -advised the group. “Our contour map doesn’t -show it, so I’m depending entirely on that memory -sketch I made.”</p> -<p>“We haven’t sighted those two twin peaks Old -Stony told us about,” Jack said.</p> -<p>“That’s what bothers me,” Warner replied. “In -taking his landmarks, maybe he made them on the -return trip from Headless Hollow.”</p> -<p>“That’s so!” exclaimed Ken, startled. “In that case, -everything would be different from the way we’re -seeing it.”</p> -<p>“Don’t forget, Old Stony may have drawn his -map purposely wrong to throw off anyone who -might steal it,” Mr. Livingston reminded them.</p> -<p>“We’ll soon know,” Warner replied.</p> -<p>Settling themselves to a hard, relentless grind of -climbing, the Scouts followed their guide with -dogged determination. Progress now was painfully -slow. An hour was required to make a few hundred -feet.</p> -<p>Jack’s back had grown numb from the weight of -the pack. His legs felt as if they would buckle beneath -him. Mr. Livingston likewise was showing -signs of fatigue, and so was Ken. Only their guide -seemed utterly tireless. But as the overcast sun -began to lower behind the jagged peaks, even -Warner began to falter and show signs of strain.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_150">150</div> -<p>His growing uneasiness began to be felt by the -others. In the last few hours, they had caught no -glimpse of the mysterious enemy believed to have -dislodged the rock. In fact, they had half forgotten -the incident. But a greater worry now confronted -them.</p> -<p>Night was coming on, and unless the pass soon -materialized, they must make camp. However, the -narrow ledges provided little more than walking -space. At times the grades were fairly gentle, giving -the party a little breathing spell. Then again they -became so steep it was hard to find good footing.</p> -<p>Warner and Mr. Livingston pushed desperately -on, hoping to find the pass before darkness crept -upon the lonely mountain. Though they gave no -verbal hint of their growing concern, Ken and Jack -could tell by the grim way the two men climbed -that they were worried.</p> -<p>To add to the party’s mounting alarm, the sky -was rapidly becoming veiled with black clouds that -clung around the mountain peaks, ugly and threatening.</p> -<p>“We’ll have rain pretty soon,” Ken predicted, as -he and Jack halted to drop their packs briefly. “That’s -all we need to make this day complete!”</p> -<p>Jack was too weary to answer. But, scanning the -darkening sky, he nodded.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_151">151</div> -<p>The day’s climb had been unbelievably hard, and -seemingly it was endless. How much longer, he -wondered, would he be able to keep going? He was -glad Willie and War were safely on their way back -to Elks Creek—at least he hoped they were safe and -comfortable.</p> -<p>“The pass shouldn’t be much farther off,” Warner -said to encourage the Scouts. “We ought to come -to it within another half hour.”</p> -<p>“A half hour,” Ken repeated. “Well, let’s get the -agony finished as fast as we can!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_152">152</div> -<h2 id="c18"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 18</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">DEAD END</span></h2> -<p>The party wormed its way up Crazy Mountain, -gingerly testing the crumbling rock lest it give beneath -their feet. Tortuously, they made another five -hundred feet. Then Warner, who was in the lead, -halted.</p> -<p>“Boys,” he said, “I’m afraid we’re in a pocket. -This can’t be the way to the pass.”</p> -<p>No one spoke.</p> -<p>“Wait here,” he directed them. “I think we’ve -come to a dead end. If I can get up to that next -ledge, maybe I can see a way on, but I doubt it.”</p> -<p>Feeling along the wall, he secured a firm hand -grip and, with Mr. Livingston’s help from below, -attained the ledge above. He crept along it and -vanished from view. For a long while the Scouts -waited, uneasily watching the darkening mountains. -Their situation, they knew, was rapidly becoming -precarious.</p> -<p>Finally, Craig Warner reappeared and lowered -himself back onto the narrow ledge where the Scouts -waited. His face told the story.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_153">153</div> -<p>“No chance of going on?” Mr. Livingston asked.</p> -<p>“None.” Warner nursed his bruised hands. “We’re -at an absolute dead end. We’ve reached a cul-de-sac.”</p> -<p>His words fell like a shroud upon the weary, footsore -group.</p> -<p>“We can’t camp here,” Jack said at last. “What’ll -we do?”</p> -<p>“There’s only one course open to us. We’ll have -to return the way we came.”</p> -<p>“Return?” Ken echoed flatly. “Not all the way -back to the ghost town?”</p> -<p>“Maybe half that distance,” Warner advised. -“There’s no water here or fuel. Not even a place to -pitch a tent. Temporarily at least, Crazy Mountain -has licked us!”</p> -<p>Completely disheartened, everyone sat down on -the rocky ledge to discuss the situation.</p> -<p>Night was fast coming on. A descent along the -narrow trail would at best be a risky undertaking, -but to remain where they were was out of the -question.</p> -<p>“There’s no possibility of going on?” Mr. Livingston -asked the rancher. “None whatsoever?”</p> -<p>Warner shook his head. “The ledge above us -plays out entirely, and the one beyond can’t be -reached. We’re in a pocket.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_154">154</div> -<p>“Then we’ll have to accept the situation,” the -Scout leader said, getting wearily to his feet. “Let’s -go.”</p> -<p>Nearing exhaustion as they were, it seemed to -Ken and Jack that they could not trudge another -mile. But they forced themselves to follow Warner. -Knowing that their safety depended upon reaching -the wider ledges before darkness completely enveloped -the mountain, he took them at a brutal -pace.</p> -<p>The Scouts were discouraged, footsore, and desperately -hungry. Their only sustenance since noon -had been a small piece of chocolate which had provided -a little quick energy.</p> -<p>In less than an hour, darkness closed in. To add -to their troubles, it began to rain. The fall was not -hard, but it came steadily. Soon the Scouts were -chilled through.</p> -<p>It seemed to Jack and Ken they never could make -it. Every step had become an agony. Minds and -bodies had become half paralyzed. Yet automatically -their feet kept plodding on.</p> -<p>Warner seemed to have an instinct for making -his way, even in the dark and rain. His flashlight -guided them at the dangerous turns.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_155">155</div> -<p>Then gradually their route became easier, the -slope more gradual. They reached a shelf and a little -wooded area beside a fast-rushing stream. It was -not the best camp site, but by this time none of -them was too particular.</p> -<p>Dropping their packs, the Scouts went in search -of firewood. Jack found dry kindling material inside -a log. Ken, after hard chopping, gathered enough -wood to get a little blaze going. By that time, Mr. -Livingston had the pup tents up.</p> -<p>Everyone huddled near the fire, waiting for tea -water to boil. Some of their misery began to -fade.</p> -<p>The rain had practically ceased. The air, however, -was damp, and a mist shrouded everything.</p> -<p>Little by little, the Scouts began to dry out and -relax. Hot tea revived their spirits. By the time -Warner had prepared oatmeal and bacon, they were -feeling almost normal again. But no one spoke of -plans for the next day.</p> -<p>After the simple meal the Explorers chopped more -wood. Then they rolled into their beds and slept -soundly.</p> -<p>By morning, the unpleasant experience on Crazy -Mountain was only a dim memory. Ken and Jack, -even Mr. Livingston, awoke feeling only a little -tired and muscle sore.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_156">156</div> -<p>Once they were astir, most of their aches disappeared. -The day was bright and sunny. Warner had -risen early to whip the eddies for a few trout and -these were cleaned and in the pan, delicately browning -for breakfast.</p> -<p>Over the food, the group discussed procedure. -A full day had been lost in the futile search for the -pass. There was no assurance that, if they went on, -it ever would be found before their skimpy food -supply became exhausted.</p> -<p>“I’ve been looking over the map again this morning,” -Warner said, spreading it on the rocks. “There’s -another way up, and it may lead us through—that -is, if you’re game to tackle it. I’m leaving the decision -to you fellows.”</p> -<p>Ken glanced first at Mr. Livingston and then at -Jack.</p> -<p>“After that mess of trout, I could tackle anything,” -Jack declared. “Let’s go!”</p> -<p>“Those are my sentiments,” Ken echoed. “No -mountain is going to lick me.”</p> -<p>“We may run into another cul-de-sac,” the rancher -warned. “It’s a chance we have to take.”</p> -<p>Breaking camp, the party set off once more. This -time, they chose a way which at first was more difficult -than the one they had taken the previous day. -Nevertheless, as the day wore on, they became -hopeful it might lead them to their objective.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_157">157</div> -<p>“It’s queer we’ve seen nothing of Walz or Ranier,” -Jack remarked as the group paused to catch breath -after a particularly steep stretch.</p> -<p>“We may run into them yet,” Warner said. “With -Old Stony’s map, they had a better chance than we -of reaching the pass without trouble.”</p> -<p>As the party climbed higher, a sharp wind whistled -eerily around the crags. At times, Jack imagined -he heard hollow laughter, as if the spirit of Crazy -Mountain were chortling at some secret joke.</p> -<p>“This place gives me a queer feeling,” he confessed -to Ken. “Ever since we left the ghost town, I -keep thinking we’re being watched.”</p> -<p>Ken did not laugh as Jack had expected him to -do. Instead, he said: “I know. I’ve been having -that same feeling. I figure it’s because our stuff was -stolen, and then someone shoved that rock down -on us.”</p> -<p>“It could have been an accident—”</p> -<p>“Sure, but Warner isn’t the kind to make a mistake -like that.”</p> -<p>“No, he’s levelheaded,” Jack returned soberly. “I -figure if we do find that pass today—well, we may -run into rugged going beyond that point.”</p> -<p>“You think someone besides Walz wants to keep -us out of the valley?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_158">158</div> -<p>“It’s a possibility, isn’t it? I was thinking about it -last night, Ken, before I dropped off to sleep. Maybe -someone stumbled onto Old Stony’s secret long before -we came here.”</p> -<p>“A prospector?”</p> -<p>“Possibly.”</p> -<p>“In that case, the gold’s gone—if ever there was -any.”</p> -<p>“Maybe not,” Jack replied thoughtfully. “If the -gold had been toted out, word of it would have -spread like wildfire. Beside, wouldn’t the discoverer -have cleared out of the valley as fast as he could, -once he had the cache?”</p> -<p>“It’s all too deep for me,” Ken answered with a -shrug. “My bones tell me, though, that we’d better -be prepared for a dose of trouble before we’re -through.”</p> -<p>“Double trouble,” Jack added with a grin.</p> -<p>By two o’clock doubt again began to assail the -climbers. The going was hard once more, and the -pass seemed as elusive as ever. The prospect of -having to retreat a second time sent shivers of weariness -down the spines of the Scouts.</p> -<p>“If we don’t make it today, we’ll have to turn -back to Elks Creek,” Mr. Warner announced.</p> -<p>Presently, from a high point which gave a clear -view of the surrounding peaks he made another -careful survey. Impatiently, the others awaited his -verdict.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_159">159</div> -<p>“I think I see what might be called twin peaks,” -he said finally. “If so, we’re close to the pass.”</p> -<p>His words cheered everyone. Jack even hummed -a little tune as he tramped on. The heavy pack -actually felt lighter on his back.</p> -<p>The feeling of exultation grew as signs gave increasing -encouragement that this time their way -would not be blocked. Soon the Explorers came out -on the round top of the mountain.</p> -<p>While the others drank in the view, Warner and -Jack searched for a way down into the green valley.</p> -<p>“You can see the tiny lake from here,” the rancher -pointed out. “We ought to reach it before nightfall. -And if all goes well, the plane should soon drop our -supplies.”</p> -<p>After careful consideration, Warner selected a -route down which did not look too difficult. Mr. -Livingston and Ken were willing enough to leave, -for the bald dome was wind-swept and uncomfortably -chilly. Patches of snow lay in the more protected -crannies.</p> -<p>In crossing an open space to join Jack and the -rancher, Ken abruptly halted. He directed the attention -of his companions to moccasin prints, plainly -visible in the snow.</p> -<p>“And we thought we were the first to reach this -pass!” he exclaimed.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_160">160</div> -<p>The prints, the Scouts decided, had been made -within a short time—but by whom? They were fairly -certain that Walz had been wearing shoes and not -moccasins.</p> -<p>“Any Indians living on Crazy Mountain?” Hap -Livingston asked the rancher.</p> -<p>“Not that I ever heard.”</p> -<p>Led by Warner, the Scouts started soberly down -through the pass. Now that their objective was close, -they wondered all the more at the dangers. Walz -and Ranier, of course, were known hazards who, even -though they might be hostile, could be dealt -with. But what of the unknown inhabitant of the -mountain?</p> -<p>Thoughts were tumbling without pattern in Jack’s -mind, when Warner up ahead suddenly halted. Pulling -himself up short, Jack saw that the rancher was -staring fixedly at something.</p> -<p>“What is it?” he demanded.</p> -<p>Without replying, the rancher moved aside so that -the others could see.</p> -<p>A stunted pine was growing out of a rock at a -rakish angle and dangling from its twisted lower -limb was a skeleton.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_161">161</div> -<h2 id="c19"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 19</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">THE CABIN</span></h2> -<p>At sight of the swinging skeleton, the Scouts -stood rooted to the rocks. Jack was the first to recover -speech.</p> -<p>“Jeepers! Is it a warning intended for us?”</p> -<p>“A little hint we’re to go no farther?” demanded -Ken.</p> -<p>Upon closer inspection, the skeleton proved to -be one of a bear with several head bones missing. Mr. -Livingston cut it down with his pocket knife.</p> -<p>“I don’t like this,” he said.</p> -<p>“We may be walking into a trap,” Warner conceded. -“From the map, I judge there’s no entrance -or exit to Headless Hollow except through this -narrow pass.”</p> -<p>“You mean once down there we may find it hard -to get back?”</p> -<p>“We face that chance. There’s no question this -skeleton was hung here as a warning. It was probably -meant for anyone who might chance this way.”</p> -<p>“Then the valley must hold treasure,” Ken said, his -eyes kindling.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_162">162</div> -<p>“Don’t build up that hope,” Mr. Livingston -warned him. “We may be dealing with a man who -is out of his mind.”</p> -<p>“That’s what alarms me,” agreed Craig Warner. -“I’d feel safer if I had my gun.”</p> -<p>“We’re four to one,” Ken pointed out.</p> -<p>“True,” the rancher replied, “but numbers can be -misleading. Besides, we don’t know for sure if -there’s only one against us.”</p> -<p>Despite the discussion, no one considered turning -back. The climbers had suffered too intensely -to think of giving up their objective now. At least -the valley was attainable, and the route down did -not look too hard. But certainly the warning skeleton -had alerted them to possible danger, and they knew -they had to remain constantly on guard.</p> -<p>Pressing on, the Scouts followed Warner single -file down the slope.</p> -<p>Deep blue shadows were lengthening by the -time the four swung through a deeply wooded area. -Here they proceeded with even greater caution. But, -without incident, they finally came out on a flat shelf -overlooking the valley.</p> -<p>With a common impulse, everyone halted, for -the view snatched away their breath. A tiny sapphire -lake lay far below. Against the dark backdrop -of the mountainside stood a tiny cabin.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_163">163</div> -<p>“That must be the place Stony and my father -built,” Warner said. “We’ve reached our goal—Headless -Hollow.”</p> -<p>“But not the gold,” Ken reminded him.</p> -<p>“That doesn’t concern me too much,” the rancher -replied. “If Stony left a cache and it’s still here, -I admit I’d like to have it. I could enlarge my ranch, -rebuild the barn, and make a lot of repairs. But -getting the ore out of this valley would take some -doing, I reckon.”</p> -<p>With darkness fast coming on, the Scouts pushed -rapidly along. Gone was all fatigue. An excitement -which steadily mounted buoyed up their spirits and -made them forget their weariness.</p> -<p>The sun was nearly down when at last the party -trudged up to the cabin they had seen from the -distance. They approached cautiously, mindful that -Walz and his guide or the unknown inhabitant of -Crazy Mountain might have taken refuge there. -They found no one, though. Jack pointed out that -the cabin logs were in a remarkable state of preservation -for having stood so long.</p> -<p>“This cabin has been kept repaired,” Warner announced -after he had looked it over.</p> -<p>Telling the Scouts and Mr. Livingston to keep -back, he crept to the glassless cabin window and -peered in. Seeing no one, he motioned that it was -safe for the others to approach.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_164">164</div> -<p>The cabin was practically without a floor, since -the boards had deteriorated. Furniture consisted -of a broken-down table, a stool, and a pile of fir -boughs which had served as someone’s bed.</p> -<p>Jack went over and touched the ashes in the -crumbling fireplace. “Warm,” he reported.</p> -<p>“Someone has certainly been living here recently,” -Warner said. “No sign of anyone around now, -though.”</p> -<p>It was too late to search that night for the caches -of gold ore which Old Stony had claimed he hid -in the hollow. Feeling almost as if they were intruders -in the valley, the Scouts set about preparing -supper.</p> -<p>Warner fished the lake, bringing in a nice mess -of trout. It heartened the group. They had decided -to hoard enough of the meager supplies for an -emergency return to Elks Creek if necessary.</p> -<p>“Willie and War should be able to get help to us -by tomorrow,” Mr. Livingston said. “If the Forest -Service plane drops food, we’ll be all right. But if -the plan goes amiss for any reason, we may have -a rough time of it.”</p> -<p>The night was closing in chilly, with a threat of -rain, so the Scouts decided to sleep inside the cabin.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_165">165</div> -<p>A fire brought a little cheer to the dreary room. -Mr. Livingston and Craig Warner told a few stories -of past experiences in the wilds. However, talk soon -died for, although no one said so openly, the atmosphere -was oppressive.</p> -<p>Twice Jack left the fire to gaze out the open -window. He couldn’t see anyone in the dark, yet -he couldn’t rid himself of the feeling that someone -was prowling near the cabin.</p> -<p>“Think we ought to post a guard?” he suggested.</p> -<p>“Not a bad idea,” Warner agreed. “I’m a light -sleeper, though, so maybe we can take a chance.”</p> -<p>Before turning in, he and Mr. Livingston made -a tour of the cabin area. Everything was quiet. A -light rain, however, had started to fall.</p> -<p>“This may prevent the plane from dropping our -food tomorrow,” Mr. Livingston remarked, scanning -the sky.</p> -<p>The Scouts made up their beds and turned in. -Jack was too weary to sleep. After a while, above -the sound of the rain, he thought he heard footsteps -outside the cabin. Quickly, he got up.</p> -<p>Before he could investigate, the door was flung -open. Jarrett Walz, his clothing torn and wet, staggered -in.</p> -<p>His arrival awakened the others, and Ken built -up the fire, which provided a flickering light in the -cabin.</p> -<p>“Where’s Ranier?” Warner demanded.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_166">166</div> -<p>“That yellow dog deserted me,” Walz muttered, -collapsing onto the bed of pine boughs.</p> -<p>“You quarreled?” the rancher guessed.</p> -<p>“Yes,” Walz admitted sullenly. “I made it here -after he left me at the pass. The thief took my food. -I’m half starved.”</p> -<p>It was evident that the motel owner had suffered -severely on the trail. Despite their intense dislike -for the man, the Scouts could not help feeling sorry -for him.</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston brewed him a cup of strong tea -and used the last of the flour to make pancakes -for him. Walz ate ravenously.</p> -<p>“Why did Ranier turn back?” Warner asked when -the motel owner had finished eating. “You say you -quarreled?”</p> -<p>“Almost constantly. He said I wasn’t paying him -enough for the risk of the trip, and that I wasn’t -doing my share of the camp work. Then we came -to the pass—”</p> -<p>“And the bear skeleton?” Jack suggested.</p> -<p>“Yes. That finished Ranier. He said the valley -was evil and he wouldn’t set foot in it. So he -deserted me.”</p> -<p>“You have the map you stole from me?” Warner -asked.</p> -<p>Walz eyed him defiantly.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_167">167</div> -<p>“Maybe.”</p> -<p>“Hand it over.”</p> -<p>“Like fun I will! I didn’t all but kill myself to -get here, only to make things easy for you. Oh, no!”</p> -<p>“We can take the map,” the rancher quietly reminded -him.</p> -<p>“You can’t,” Walz sneered. “I’m not dumb enough -to walk in here with it in my pocket.”</p> -<p>“You’ve hidden it?”</p> -<p>“Better than that. I’ve destroyed it.” Triumphantly, -the motel owner tapped his forehead. “The -secret is here—right here. Known only to me.”</p> -<p>Warner shrugged. He had no reason to doubt -Walz’ statement.</p> -<p>“You may regret destroying the map,” he observed. -“A memory sometimes proves faulty.”</p> -<p>“Not mine,” Walz boasted. “I’ll find that gold, -and it will be mine—all mine!”</p> -<p>“You’re loco,” Warner retorted. “We ought to -heave you out of here, but we’ll be generous—a -weakness you wouldn’t understand.”</p> -<p>The Scouts made room for the motel owner near -the fire. He had not feigned exhaustion. Almost at -once he fell into a deep sleep.</p> -<p>“He should make no trouble tonight,” Warner -said contemptuously. “Tomorrow may be a different -story.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_168">168</div> -<p>Once more the Scouts turned in for the night. -Again Jack slept, though fitfully. At times he imagined -Walz was stirring. Always it was his fancy. -Then again, he imagined he heard a noise outside -the cabin.</p> -<p>Actually, it was toward morning when he awoke -with a start. His imagination again?</p> -<p>Suddenly he knew that it was not. He felt smothered, -suffocated.</p> -<p>Starting up, he began to cough and choke. The -cabin was filled with smoke!</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_169">169</div> -<h2 id="c20"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 20</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">THE PLANE</span></h2> -<p>For a moment, Jack thought the cabin was on -fire. But there were no flames. Groping his way -through the blinding smoke, he flung open the -door.</p> -<p>As he reached the better air, he heard a hard thud -on the ground at the rear of the wretched cabin. -Then, in the semi-darkness, he saw a shadowy figure -darting toward the dense bush rimming the lake.</p> -<p>By this time, Ken too was awake, coughing and -fighting the smoke. The others quickly rose and -made their way out into the night air.</p> -<p>If Jack had cherished any thought that Walz was -responsible for the condition of the cabin, it was -dispelled. The motel owner staggered out, rubbing -his eyes and whining that he had been asphyxiated.</p> -<p>“You closed the flue!” he accused them. “You -wanted to get rid of me!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_170">170</div> -<p>The Scouts paid no attention to his mutterings. -Instead, Jack and Ken checked the fireplace. Smoke -from the half-burned-out fire was pouring into the -room instead of rising up the flue.</p> -<p>“Must be a down draft,” Ken said, fighting the -smoke. “The air’s heavy because of the rain.”</p> -<p>“Not that heavy, Ken.”</p> -<p>Jack recollected the strange thudding noise he -had heard and the fleeting shadow he had seen. -Someone, he was convinced, had been on the roof -of the cabin.</p> -<p>“I’m going to see what’s wrong,” he announced. -“Help me up there, will you?”</p> -<p>“You may crash through the roof,” Ken warned. -“One good puff of wind and this whole place will -fall down like a cardboard box.”</p> -<p>He and Craig Warner gave Jack a boost onto the -sloping roof. In a moment they heard his shout of discovery.</p> -<p>“No wonder we were smoked out!”</p> -<p>“What’s wrong?” Ken demanded.</p> -<p>“A hunk of wood has been jammed down the -chimney! The smoke couldn’t escape, so it went -out into the cabin.”</p> -<p>Jack tugged and pulled, but the piece of wood -had been wedged tightly into the chimney. Ken -climbed up with a hatchet. Together they chopped -the chunk to splinters, then dropped back down -onto the ground.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_171">171</div> -<p>“Who did it?” Walz demanded in a shaky voice.</p> -<p>“The ghost of Old Stony,” Jack replied in jest. -“Maybe he’s upset to find us in his valley.”</p> -<p>At mention of the old prospector, Walz seemed -to go to pieces.</p> -<p>“Don’t be saying things like that!” he fairly -screamed.</p> -<p>“Sorry,” Jack apologized. “It was only a joke. I -don’t know any more than you do about who -wedged that wood into the chimney. But it was -done on purpose.”</p> -<p>“I’m not going back in there tonight,” Walz -whined with a shudder. “Why, it’s a wonder we -weren’t burned in our beds!”</p> -<p>By this time, the sky had grown lighter, an indication -that dawn was not far off. The clouds were -clearing, and the rain had stopped.</p> -<p>“If Willie and War got through to the Forest -Service station, we may sight their plane today,” -Mr. Livingston said hopefully.</p> -<p>No one attempted to go back to sleep. Warner and -Jack made a brief but futile search for their mysterious -enemy.</p> -<p>“I suspect it’s the same fellow who stole our food -and my gun,” the rancher said.</p> -<p>“You think it’s somebody who has been living here -in the valley?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_172">172</div> -<p>“It looks that way, Jack. Who he is, or how he -manages to keep alive, I don’t know. We’ll have to -be eternally on guard.”</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston and Ken had fished the lake during -their absence, and now near the cabin they -proudly displayed four good-sized trout.</p> -<p>“Where’s Walz?” Ken suddenly asked.</p> -<p>The motel owner was not to be found near the -cabin nor in it. Very shortly the Scouts learned -the reason: during their absence, he had disappeared. -With him had gone their few remaining -supplies.</p> -<p>“Why, that thieving rascal!” Warner exclaimed. -“We took pity on him and shared what little we -had. This is our pay.”</p> -<p>Only a perfunctory search was made for Walz. -It was certain he had taken refuge in the bush not -far from the cabin, but to track him down would -have been a difficult and useless task.</p> -<p>“By this time, he’ll have hidden what he can’t -consume,” Warner said in disgust. “He probably -figures on finding those caches and getting out of -here fast.”</p> -<p>Breakfast was a disheartening meal. The fish, -baked in leaves, was tasteless without salt.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_173">173</div> -<p>“We’ll not starve,” Warner said. “But it’s sure we -have to replenish our supply of staples or hit the -trail for Elks Creek. The question is, can we be sure -that Willie and War have gotten help for us?”</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston spoke with quiet confidence: “Unless -they had some bad luck the plane will get here.”</p> -<p>“Good flying weather today,” Ken added cheerfully.</p> -<p>“It’s settled then that we stick it out,” Warner -said.</p> -<p>They decided that one of them should remain -close to the clearing throughout the day to make -certain the plane would not be missed. Selecting a -fairly level place where the packages of food might -be parachuted down, Jack laid out a bright-colored -cloth as a signal.</p> -<p>In the meantime Warner, Mr. Livingston, and Ken -set off to try to find the gold caches. At noon they -returned, tired, hungry, and discouraged.</p> -<p>“No luck,” Ken reported, “but we did find a -grave on a hillside not far from the lake.”</p> -<p>“My father’s,” Craig Warner said. “There was a -marker with his name.”</p> -<p>“An odd thing,” Mr. Livingston contributed. -“Ferns and flowers have been planted beside the -grave.”</p> -<p>“Recently too,” added Ken. “At least, the earth -around them has been loosened recently.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_174">174</div> -<p>Warner gazed toward the distant mountains, -glistening in the bright sunlight. “This trip has already -been worth while for me,” he said. “The gold -doesn’t matter.”</p> -<p>“But there is gold!” Jack insisted. “At least, when -I was at the lake I saw particles of it that had -washed down from the hills. And I found a sluice -box someone had been using.”</p> -<p>“Our unknown enemy, probably,” Warner said. -“He didn’t show himself while we were gone?”</p> -<p>“No one.”</p> -<p>“Any sign of a plane?”</p> -<p>“None.”</p> -<p>In the afternoon, Ken took his turn staying behind, -while the others resumed search for the caches of -ore. According to Warner’s recollection of the map, -both had been near the entrance to a ravine some -distance from the lake, but the morning search had -proven unfruitful.</p> -<p>“I may have made a miscalculation,” the rancher -admitted.</p> -<p>“Maybe we picked the wrong ravine,” said Jack.</p> -<p>They began the afternoon search nearer the lake -and cabin. Immediately, landmarks seemed somewhat -more familiar and similar to the chart markings -they remembered.</p> -<p>“We must be on the right track!” Jack said jubilantly.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_175">175</div> -<p>They were encouraged to find old holes drilled in -the hillside. This they took to be evidence that Old -Stony or other prospectors who followed him had -tested the area as a possible mine site.</p> -<p>But the hiding place, if ever there had been one, -could not be found.</p> -<p>“Maybe Walz has had better luck,” Jack said, -sinking down on a rock. “Queer we haven’t had a -glimpse of him all day.”</p> -<p>“He’s lying low,” Mr. Livingston said. “Either -that, or he’s hit out for Elks Creek.”</p> -<p>Disheartened, the trio finally headed back toward -the cabin. As they rounded a ridge, Jack suddenly -stiffened.</p> -<p>“Listen!”</p> -<p>Faintly in the distance, they could hear the drone -of an airplane engine.</p> -<p>“War and Willie are sending help!” Jack cried. -“Food!”</p> -<p>With all haste, the three fought their way up the -crumbling rocks. Reaching a high spot, they eagerly -scanned the sky.</p> -<p>Far to the east, a tiny moving speck could be -discerned.</p> -<p>“It’s coming this way!” Jack shouted. “The pilot -can’t miss the lake!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_176">176</div> -<p>Although the plane was still far away, he took -off his hat and began waving it in a wide arc. He -might have spared himself the trouble.</p> -<p>The plane came on closer for a moment longer -and then, for no apparent reason, it banked and -turned back on its course.</p> -<p>Jack kept thinking that it surely would circle -again. But it did not.</p> -<p>As he and his companions watched in stunned -silence, it vanished between the mountain peaks.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_177">177</div> -<h2 id="c21"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 21</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">THE ENEMY</span></h2> -<p>Heartsick, Jack, Craig Warner, and Hap Livingston -trudged back to the cabin. Ken, too, had seen -the plane from the woods where he had been gathering -a few edible berries. He reported that it had -not come close enough to the clearing for him to signal.</p> -<p>“What made it turn back?” he grieved. “Surely -the lake makes a sizable landmark.”</p> -<p>“It may not have been the Forest Service plane,” -said Warner.</p> -<p>“Something’s wrong,” Mr. Livingston declared. -“Warwick and Willie may have had trouble getting -through. If anything happened to them—well, I’ll -always blame myself for letting them go off alone.”</p> -<p>“They’ve made it by now,” Jack said.</p> -<p>However, he spoke with more confidence than -he felt. War’s condition had not been the best, and -it was quite possible he had fallen ill on the trail. -Resolutely, he put the matter from his mind. There -was enough to worry about as it was, he told himself.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_178">178</div> -<p>“Any visitors while we were away?” he asked -Ken as the group walked to the cabin.</p> -<p>“Only a bear. He didn’t stick around long when -he found there was no food.”</p> -<p>“Walz?”</p> -<p>“Not a glimpse of him.”</p> -<p>“He’s hidden out in a canyon somewhere,” Jack -guessed. “He may give us trouble yet—especially if -we should find the gold before he does.”</p> -<p>“Not much chance of that,” Ken replied. “In fact, -I’m beginning to think Stony dreamed up that gold. -The valley’s real enough, but that cache may have -been all fancy.”</p> -<p>Jack made no answer. Weary, hungry, and discouraged, -he too wondered if the trip to Headless -Hollow might not have been a mistake. However, -he had no intention of saying so. Fetching water -from the lake, he went into the cabin and flung -himself onto the bed of boughs.</p> -<p>Despite his weariness, he did not lie there long. -Something which was propped against the fireplace -drew his gaze. He rolled off the bed and went over to -pick it up. It was a long strip of bark, and on the -inside surface a message had been printed in uneven -charcoal letters.</p> -<p>“GIT OUT OF THIS HEAR VALLEY BEFOR -IT IS TOO LATE.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_179">179</div> -<p>Jack carried it outside to show to the others.</p> -<p>“Walz never left this,” he said. “That fellow who -tried to smoke us out last night must have printed -it.”</p> -<p>“He’s an unfriendly coot,” Warner observed. “It’s -a mystery how he manages to live here.”</p> -<p>Ken said he had seen no one near the cabin while -the others had been searching for the caches. Nevertheless, -he had been absent himself for half an hour. -It was during this period, they decided, that the -fellow had sneaked out of the woods to leave the -warning message.</p> -<p>After another frugal meal of fish and berries, -everyone except Warner turned in for the night. He -insisted upon keeping watch until midnight. At that -hour, Mr. Livingston relieved him. It was nearing -dawn when Jack awoke to see the Scout leader -dozing by the fire.</p> -<p>“It’s my turn now,” he volunteered.</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston reluctantly permitted him to take -over the watch. Jack sat a while with only his dreary -thoughts for company. In his mind’s eye, he tried -to reconstruct the treasure map as first he had seen -it in Rocking Horse.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_180">180</div> -<p>Definitely, he recalled that the two caches of gold -had been close to each other at the mouth of a ravine. -But the years might have wrought changes in the -terrain. Wind and rain and rock slides could have -altered the area.</p> -<p>For that matter, with the valley inhabited, might -not the gold long ago have been removed?</p> -<p>Jack’s thoughts rambled back to his last talk with -Stony in the hospital. Then he had seriously doubted -that the prospector had found gold in this remote -valley. Now that he was here, he had gradually -begun to believe that the tale had been true.</p> -<p>The grave and marker with John Warner’s name -indicated that Stony had indeed lost his partner in -Headless Hollow. Mystery still shrouded the death. -Restlessly, Jack rose and walked to the window. -The sky was beginning to lighten. Very soon the -sun would be up.</p> -<p>He built up the fire. Noticing that the supply of -wood was low, he took the axe and went for more. -He chopped a dead jackpine, stacking the pieces -near the cabin door.</p> -<p>As he went down to the lake for water, he thought -he heard mocking laughter from amid the willows. -But he could see no one, and when he halted to -listen, there was no further sound. He continued to -the water’s edge and stooped to fill the vessel. Some -instinct warned him. He still had heard no sound -but, without knowing why, he whirled suddenly.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_181">181</div> -<p>A dark figure loomed behind him. He caught a -blurred impression of an aged face as he ducked.</p> -<p>A heavy object struck him a glancing blow on the -side of his head. Senses reeling, he staggered crazily -backward into the water as wild laughter rang in his -ears.</p> -<p>Dazed as he was, he realized his opponent had -struck him with the butt of Warner’s stolen gun. -And now the crazed fellow was pointing it at him, -laughing idiotically!</p> -<p>Off balance from the stunning blow, Jack let himself -collapse into the lake. Then, fearful his assailant -would fire, or hurl a rock at him if he emerged, he -dived deeper.</p> -<p>Holding his breath, he went down into the chilly -depths until he struck sand, and then he swam -underwater. When his lungs screamed for air, he -cautiously rose to the surface. Raising his nose and -mouth just above water, he gazed toward shore.</p> -<p>At first the wild creature who had assaulted him -so viciously was nowhere to be seen. But as Jack -scanned the shore, he saw the dark figure retreating -as stealthily as he had come. He was a bent, twisted -man who moved with cat-like tread over the rocks -toward a distant ravine.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_182">182</div> -<p>Scrambling out on shore, Jack ran to the cabin. -He met Craig Warner, who only that moment had -dressed.</p> -<p>“You fell in the lake!” Warner exclaimed, staring -at him.</p> -<p>Jack related what had happened and added: -“The fellow who attacked me is as crazy as this -mountain! He headed for the far ravine.”</p> -<p>“I’m going after him,” Warner said.</p> -<p>Jack would not allow the rancher to trail the old -man alone. Without taking time to change his wet -clothes, he guided Warner in the direction his attacker -had taken.</p> -<p>The sky was rapidly brightening. At the edge of -the ravine they caught their first glimpse of the old -man. He wore moccasins and moved with amazing -swiftness over the rough terrain.</p> -<p>“Unless I’m mistaken, he’ll lead us to Old Stony’s -gold,” Warner whispered. “Our best bet is to keep -out of sight.”</p> -<p>Agile as a monkey, the old fellow scrambled over -the rocks with the energy of a much younger man. -He came at last, as the rancher predicted, to a pit -opening that was covered by brush.</p> -<p>Not even glancing about, the man pulled the -debris aside and dropped out of view.</p> -<p>“It’s a mine, all right,” Warner declared as he -and Jack crouched behind the bushes, waiting.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_183">183</div> -<p>“Stony’s caches of ore must be somewhere close,” -Jack whispered.</p> -<p>Warner nodded. “Probably, unless this daffy old -fellow has moved them. He has certainly been living -here a long while, Jack.”</p> -<p>By this time the sun was up, and Jack’s wet clothing -had begun to dry a little. But he remained cold, -uncomfortable, and drowsy. He craved action.</p> -<p>“Shouldn’t we try to find out what’s doing down -in that mine?” he urged.</p> -<p>“Patience, Jack.”</p> -<p>“He may stay down in that hole all day!”</p> -<p>“He’ll come out sooner or later. We’d be crazy -to go after him, Jack. Remember, he has a gun.”</p> -<p>“I know,” Jack conceded with a sigh. “It’s hard -to wait, though. What’s he doing down there, anyhow? -Counting his gold?”</p> -<p>“Digging it, more than likely.”</p> -<p>Jack’s tired eyes sparkled. “You think we’ve stumbled -onto Old Stony’s source of gold?”</p> -<p>“We’ve found something,” Warner grunted. “But -don’t forget, Colorado is thick with abandoned -mines—most of ’em worthless.”</p> -<p>As the sun rose higher, Jack became convinced the -old fellow would never reappear. He was half asleep, -when Warner unexpectedly nudged him. Then he -came awake with a start.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_184">184</div> -<p>The old man could be seen backing awkwardly -out of the pit hole.</p> -<p>In the bright daylight, he looked like a grotesque -creature with long, windblown white hair and a -straggling, dirty-white beard.</p> -<p>But Jack was not inclined to chuckle. The old -fellow had an intensity of purpose which was frightening. -He was chattering to himself, but the only -word the listening pair could distinguish was: -“Gold.”</p> -<p>Then, as they watched, the old man turned his -half-glazed eyes toward the bush where they -crouched. In that instant Warner obtained his first -direct look at the withered, weather-tanned face.</p> -<p>“Well, what d’you know!” he whispered. “It’s -Joe Hansart!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_185">185</div> -<h2 id="c22"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 22</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">TRAPPED</span></h2> -<p>The gaunt man who had crawled from the mine -pit did not see them crouching in the dense thicket. -He stood facing them, however, a revolver dangling -carelessly at his belt. He was a grotesque, powerfully -built fellow amazingly agile, and he was wearing -a ragged, red-wool shirt and an open, tattered -leather jacket.</p> -<p>As Jack and the rancher watched, Joe Hansart -wheeled and trotted off over the rocks in the general -direction of the pass.</p> -<p>“We missed our chance to nab him,” Jack said, -emerging.</p> -<p>“Yes, but he has my gun, and it’s probably loaded,” -Warner replied. “If he sees us he may shoot. The -poor old fellow seems completely off his rocker.”</p> -<p>“You know him?”</p> -<p>“Not very well, but he’s Joe Hansart.”</p> -<p>“Is he the prospector you mentioned at your -ranch?”</p> -<p>“Yes. Years ago I saw him a few times.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_186">186</div> -<p>“Didn’t you tell us at the ranch that he had set -out for this hollow and vanished?”</p> -<p>“Yes,” the rancher answered. “So far as I know, -Joe hasn’t been seen in Elks Creek for years.”</p> -<p>“But how has he managed to live?”</p> -<p>Warner shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe he makes -trips out, though not to Elks Creek. Probably he -stashes food for the winter. In the summer, a man of -his ingenuity could get along on very little.”</p> -<p>“But why would he stay here year after year?”</p> -<p>“Evidently he’s been seized with gold fever, Jack, -and it has twisted his brain.”</p> -<p>“You think he’s found Old Stony’s caches?”</p> -<p>“I suspect so, Jack. Perhaps he has even stumbled -onto a rich vein in that pit mine. Let’s find out.”</p> -<p>Making certain the old prospector had not -doubled back on his trail, the two dropped down -into the hole.</p> -<p>The mine was a shallow one, bolstered with -crudely cut timber. Water dripped from above, -making the floor slippery and slimy. Warner’s flashlight -came to rest on a box of dynamite.</p> -<p>“Watch it!” he advised sharply, as Jack would -have investigated. “That stuff’s old—and dangerous.”</p> -<p>A little farther on they came to a pile of mined -ore. Warner picked up one of the chunks of rock, -studying the dull-looking metal under the flashlight.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_187">187</div> -<p>“This looks like rich stuff!” he exclaimed. “It’s -hand sorted!”</p> -<p>“Then Stony was right!” Jack cried. “He did find -a fortune, only to lose it.”</p> -<p>“Hard to tell until the stuff is assayed, but this ore -looks rich to me. Almost pure gold, Jack.”</p> -<p>“And there’s a lot of it! Piles and piles! Old Joe -Hansart must have been mining it here for years.”</p> -<p>Warner went on to a second and third pile of ore, -but his enthusiasm began to die.</p> -<p>“What’s wrong?” Jack demanded, puzzled by the -rancher’s change of attitude. “Isn’t it gold, after all?”</p> -<p>“It’s gold, all right.”</p> -<p>“But not quality stuff?”</p> -<p>“Well, it’s hard to tell much just by looking at it, -Jack. That first pile of hand-sorted stuff was rich—no -question about it. But this—” Warner dropped -a chunk of ore contemptuously.</p> -<p>“It’s worthless?”</p> -<p>“I wouldn’t say that. I’m no expert. It’s easy to -see, though, that’s it’s not the same rich ore as that -first pile.”</p> -<p>“Even so, there’s a lot of it,” Jack said optimistically.</p> -<p>“Oh, that one pile might be worth thousands,” -Craig Warner replied. “And it’s available to anybody -who hauls it out.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_188">188</div> -<p>“Why do you suppose Joe Hansart hasn’t done -it?” Jack speculated.</p> -<p>“Two reasons probably: one, he hasn’t wanted -anyone to know of his discovery; two, ore is heavy.”</p> -<p>“You figure Hansart never filed a claim?”</p> -<p>“I doubt it, Jack. If he had, word would have -swept this section of country like a prairie fire. He’s -probably panned enough pure gold from the lake -to keep him in supplies. Meanwhile, he has stayed -on here alone, enlarging the mine.”</p> -<p>A short distance further into the pit, they came to -a tunnel opening which had been half covered with -debris. Pulling the brush aside, Warner ran the -beam of his light over the rough wall.</p> -<p>“This seems to be where Hansart has done his -most recent work,” he observed. “You can see the -vein. But it’s thin—played out.”</p> -<p>“Then this is only another worthless mine?”</p> -<p>“I couldn’t pass judgment on such a brief inspection,” -Warner returned. “Besides, as I say, I’m not -an expert.”</p> -<p>“But it doesn’t look too promising to you?”</p> -<p>“Frankly, it doesn’t, Jack. I don’t want to build up -your hopes, only to have them collapse.”</p> -<p>“Oh, I hadn’t figured on cashing in on this trip -except in fun and experience,” Jack rejoined cheerfully.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_189">189</div> -<p>“There’s gold here,” Warner said soberly. “These -days, though, it takes capital—lots of it—to operate -any mine profitably. Headless Hollow is hard to get -at. So to make it worth while, the vein would have -to be exceedingly rich.”</p> -<p>They went on to the end of the narrow tunnel.</p> -<p>“In my opinion the vein was better near the surface,” -Craig Warner said, as he and Jack turned -back. “It’s one of those freak things. Old Stony -thought he had made a rich find. He must have found -ore that would be worth maybe twenty to fifty thousand -dollars in the present market. But the streak -seemingly plays out.”</p> -<p>“Mightn’t it pick up again somewhere in the -valley?” Jack suggested hopefully.</p> -<p>“Yes. But if in all these years Joe Hansart hasn’t -improved on this site, I doubt there’s any bonanza -here.”</p> -<p>“The lure of gold, though, has held him here.”</p> -<p>“True,” Warner agreed. “And there’s the tragedy -of it. Poor Joe! I don’t know what’s to be done about -him. He’s dangerous in his present state of mind, and -it won’t be easy to help him.”</p> -<p>“He already regards me as Enemy No. 1,” Jack -said with a rueful chuckle. “My head still aches from -that crack he gave me on the head.”</p> -<p>“Joe’s probably afraid we’re here to steal his gold.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_190">190</div> -<p>“I suppose so. He must have been the one who -stole our food at the ghost town. And he must be -the one who put up that animal skeleton at the -entrance to the pass.”</p> -<p>“Except for Joe, this valley must have been uninhabited -for years,” Warner said thoughtfully. -“Prospectors who drifted this way always got into -trouble—minor accidents, food disappearing.”</p> -<p>“Hansart must have been behind it all!”</p> -<p>“He certainly wasn’t suspected, Jack. But what -we’ve seen today convinces me—”</p> -<p>“No search ever was made for him?”</p> -<p>“None that I recall, Jack. You see, Joe was a queer -one, even as a young man. The lone-wolf type. He -had no relatives anyone ever heard about. When -he’d vanish for a year or so at a time, no one thought -anything of it. Then finally the story grew that he’d -disappeared on a prospecting trip into this valley.”</p> -<p>“He must have lived in that wreck of a cabin -we took over—the one built by your father and Old -Stony.”</p> -<p>“Yes,” Warner agreed. “I’d guess that gold ore -we found at the mine entrance—the good stuff—came -from the original cache and poor old Joe stored -it in here.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_191">191</div> -<p>“Probably he keeps pretty close watch of this -mine,” Jack remarked, a note of uneasiness in his -voice. “How long have we been down here, anyhow?”</p> -<p>“Too long.”</p> -<p>“Let’s get out,” Jack urged, starting over the -rough, uneven tunnel floor.</p> -<p>Warner’s flashlight guided them to the main opening -into the mine.</p> -<p>“It must still be pretty dark outside,” Jack remarked, -mystified because no daylight filtered down. -“A fellow can’t see an inch ahead of his face.”</p> -<p>He groped on up the rough steps in the rock. But -where the exit to the mine should have been, his -hand encountered first a mass of brush, and then -solid rock.</p> -<p>“Something’s wrong!” he muttered. “This can’t be -the way we came.”</p> -<p>“Sure, it is,” Warner insisted, pressing close behind -him. “This mine is a simple affair. No offshoots. -Here, let me have a look.”</p> -<p>His light beam swept the mine exit.</p> -<p>Both the rancher and Jack drew in their breath -sharply.</p> -<p>The opening through which they had entered a -few minutes before was now blocked. They were -trapped in the mine!</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_192">192</div> -<h2 id="c23"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 23</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">ESCAPE</span></h2> -<p>Jack’s first thought was that a rock slide had -dammed up the mine entrance. Sober reflection, -however, told him that such was not the case.</p> -<p>Obviously, someone had quietly shoved a great -boulder across the narrow opening.</p> -<p>“Joe Hansart!” he exclaimed. “He must have seen -us come in here.”</p> -<p>“We’re trapped, all right,” Warner muttered.</p> -<p>He and Jack applied their shoulders and heaved -with all their strength. They could move the rock -a trifle, but not enough to shift it from its position.</p> -<p>“Other rocks have been piled on top,” Warner -gasped.</p> -<p>Once more the pair worked and heaved in unison, -but without the slightest success.</p> -<p>Exhausted, they sank back against the rock wall -to consider their desperate plight. Soon they would -be missed at the cabin. That was certain. But it -was doubtful Ken or Mr. Livingston would pick -up their trail to this remote ravine until many hours, -perhaps days had passed.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_193">193</div> -<p>Meanwhile, they were without food or water. And -Joe Hansart might lie in wait for any rescuers and -attack them as he had attacked Jack.</p> -<p>“Crazy coot!” Warner exclaimed. “He’s outwitted -us. We became so intent on exploring the mine that -we forgot everything else.”</p> -<p>“Listen!” Jack directed suddenly.</p> -<p>He was certain he had heard a scratching sound -on the huge rock above their heads.</p> -<p>“Maybe it’s Joe Hansart piling on more stones!” he -muttered.</p> -<p>Together, the trapped pair shouted. At once the -scraping sound ceased.</p> -<p>“Someone’s out there,” Warner decided. “It must -be Joe. Maybe if we can convince him we don’t want -any of his gold, he’ll relent and let us out.”</p> -<p>They shouted, but only their own voices echoed -weirdly back in the pit. Desperately, they shoved -again at the rock barrier. This time they succeeded -in dislodging enough of the loose debris to permit -a little daylight to filter down.</p> -<p>As they nursed their bruised hands, they heard -harsh laughter.</p> -<p>“Joe, listen to reason!” Warner bellowed at him. -“We don’t want your stupid gold.”</p> -<p>“No?” asked a mocking voice.</p> -<p>Warner and Jack stiffened.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_194">194</div> -<p>“That’s Walz!” the latter identified him. “Not -Hansart!”</p> -<p>For a fleeting instant, the two prisoners took heart. -They thought they would be able to reason with -the motel owner.</p> -<p>“Listen!” Warner shouted to him. “There must -have been a rock slide. Help us get out of here!”</p> -<p>“And why should I do that?” the motel owner -asked in the same mocking tone. “You won’t make -any trouble where you are now!”</p> -<p>“Have you lost your senses?” Warner stormed.</p> -<p>“Quite the contrary,” Walz rejoined, plainly enjoying -his triumph. “You’ve both been a pain in my -neck ever since I set eyes on you. Now you get what -you deserve.”</p> -<p>“What’s the idea blocking the exit?” Warner demanded. -“What’s your game?”</p> -<p>“My game? Only a little device to gain time. It -was your bad luck that you stumbled onto the -vein.”</p> -<p>“The vein—” Warner started to explode, then held -his tongue.</p> -<p>“Oh, I saw you sneak into the mine after the old -man went away,” Walz rattled on.</p> -<p>“You’ve been down here yourself?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_195">195</div> -<p>“I have,” the motel owner admitted. His voice -carried plainly to the pair below, for he was close -to the opening between the rocks. “I found the gold -ore, and I have samples now in my pack.”</p> -<p>“What are you aiming to do with ’em?”</p> -<p>“I’ll have them assayed. But first I’m staking out a -claim to this section of the valley.”</p> -<p>“Sure someone hasn’t beaten you to it?”</p> -<p>“This is unclaimed valley—the entire hollow. Ranier -told me so. That dirty, low-down scamp deserted -me. I’ll get even with him when I get back -to Elks Creek.”</p> -<p>“Listen,” Warner said in exasperation, “you’ve had -your little joke. Now let us out of here. We can’t -raise that rock from below, but you can roll it aside.”</p> -<p>“Maybe I can, but I’m not going to do it,” Walz -retorted coolly. “You trailed me to Headless Hollow, -but you’re not going to beat me filing a claim.”</p> -<p>“Who wants to file one, you stupid ox?”</p> -<p>“You!” the motel owner accused. “I’ve risked -everything to get this gold. Nothing is going to stop -me now. Nothing!”</p> -<p>“You’re welcome to the gold—whatever you can -find,” Warner said wearily. “Just let us out.”</p> -<p>“Never.”</p> -<p>At first, the trapped pair had not believed that the -motel owner seriously meant to keep them confined -below, but his intention could no longer be doubted.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_196">196</div> -<p>“Walz, pay close attention,” Warner pleaded. “I -came to this place largely to see the grave of my -father. The gold—if there was any—didn’t mean too -much to me.”</p> -<p>“That’s a lie!”</p> -<p>“It means everything to you, but you have the -wrong slant. Unless I’m mistaken, this mine would -never pay well enough to interest a company. Old -Stony gathered some rich ore, it’s true. He died -without knowing that the vein wasn’t extensive.”</p> -<p>“You’re wasting your breath,” Walz retorted. -“Talk till you’re blue in the face. It won’t move me. -I have my samples of gold, and I’m hitting the trail!”</p> -<p>“Walz—”</p> -<p>There was no answer. The two prisoners realized -that he had carried out his threat and left. They -were indeed trapped in the mine.</p> -<p>“Hap and Ken will start searching any minute -now,” Jack said, trying to remain cheerful. “If they -come this way, they may see that pile of rock.”</p> -<p>“And again they may not,” Warner grunted. “We -may never be found until it’s too late. Walz is a -blackguard, if I ever met one! Like as not, even after -he’s filed his claim he won’t send anyone.”</p> -<p>“There’s always Joe Hansart. He’ll be coming -back.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_197">197</div> -<p>“Yeah,” Warner agreed, “our best hope probably -lies with him. But the old coot may stay away for -days. Meanwhile, we can get pretty fed up in this -hole.”</p> -<p>The two sat down, their backs to the rough wall. -Jack’s clothing had only partially dried after his -ducking in the lake, so he was damp and uncomfortable.</p> -<p>“We’ve got to get out of here,” Warner said determinedly. -“You’ll get pneumonia, if we don’t.”</p> -<p>“No exit except this one?”</p> -<p>“The tunnel ended against a blank wall. I checked -that.”</p> -<p>“If Walz could push that stone into place alone, -the two of us ought to be able to shove it away.”</p> -<p>“We’re pushing against gravity, Jack. He rolled it -down the incline. Besides, once he got it into place, -he piled on other rocks and debris. We’re caught -like two animals in a cage.”</p> -<p>Suddenly Jack straightened as a thought occurred -to him.</p> -<p>“That dynamite!” he suggested. “Any chance we -could blast our way out of here?”</p> -<p>“Maybe we could!” the rancher exclaimed. “It -would be risky business, though. Old dynamite, especially, -is dangerous to handle.”</p> -<p>“A tiny charge would turn the trick.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_198">198</div> -<p>“Sure,” Warner grinned, “providing we aren’t both -blown to bits before we set it off. But I’m willing to -try. Anything’s better than just waiting in this hole.”</p> -<p>The rancher would not allow Jack to go near the -stored boxes. He insisted, “You go and take refuge -in the far end of the tunnel.”</p> -<p>Using the utmost care, Warner placed the dynamite -sticks without accident. Breathing hard, he -joined Jack after the fuse had been set. For a full -minute, they waited tensely. Nothing happened.</p> -<p>“The stuff is dead,” Jack declared.</p> -<p>“Maybe not,” Warner said. “It was a long fuse. -Wait.”</p> -<p>They waited. Suddenly the tunnel was rocked by -a terrific explosion. As they hit the earth, covering -their faces, small bits of rock showered down. When -the dust had cleared, they groped their way back -to the entrance. Climbing up through the debris, -they saw daylight. Warner squeezed out through the -tumbled rocks, and reached down to help Jack.</p> -<p>“We’re free and still in one piece,” the rancher -chuckled.</p> -<p>Setting out from the ravine, they started for the -cabin. However, they had covered less than a third -of the distance when they saw Hap Livingston and -Ken coming toward them at a run.</p> -<p>“What happened?” Ken demanded, as he -glimpsed the dirt-streaked faces and disheveled -clothing of the two. “We heard an explosion!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_199">199</div> -<p>Tersely, Jack and the rancher related their harrowing -experience in the mine.</p> -<p>“Now Walz is streaking for Elks Creek!” Warner -ended the account. “He’s on a fool’s chase, in my -opinion. I could be wrong.”</p> -<p>“Shouldn’t we try to head him off?” Jack proposed -eagerly. “He’s not had too big a start.”</p> -<p>“It won’t take long to sling our equipment together,” -Ken added. “Maybe we can overtake him. -We have a score to settle, regardless of the gold!”</p> -<p>“It may not be necessary,” Warner advised quietly.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_200">200</div> -<h2 id="c24"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 24</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">A FIGHT</span></h2> -<p>His words were mystifying. Then the other three -noticed that the rancher had turned his gaze toward -the distant pass which guarded Headless Hollow. -Far above them, on the high cliffs, they saw two -struggling men.</p> -<p>“Walz and Joe Hansart!” Jack exclaimed. “They’re -fighting.”</p> -<p>The watchers below were too far away to see the -struggle plainly. It was apparent, though, what had -happened. Evidently Walz had attempted to leave -the valley with his sack of sample gold, and Joe -Hansart had caught him. Now the two were locked -in a death struggle. As the Explorers watched in -horror, the two men fought close to the edge of the -cliffs.</p> -<p>“They’ll kill each other, if we don’t stop them!” -Mr. Livingston exclaimed.</p> -<p>At a run, he and the others started for the -pass.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_201">201</div> -<p>The trail, such as it was, wound in a gradual climb. -Jack and Ken tried the steeper, direct route. Even -so, they were less than a third of the way up to the -cliff when they heard a hoarse, frightened shout.</p> -<p>Joe Hansart, despite his age, had overpowered his -adversary. Inch by inch, he crowded him to the -edge of the precipice. Walz rocked back and forth -on the ledge, fighting for his life. Beneath him -yawned the chasm.</p> -<p>The end of that desperate struggle was inevitable.</p> -<p>Walz’ boot went over the slanting rock. He tried -wildly to regain a foothold, but could not. As he fell, -he held fast to the old man, pulling him along.</p> -<p>Locked in each other’s arms, the two men fell -to a ledge fifteen or twenty feet below. There they -struck bushes which in part broke their fall. Then -over and over they rolled, to the bottom of the long -slope.</p> -<p>“What an end!” Ken gasped, shuddering.</p> -<p>Peering over the cliff, Jack saw Walz move one of -his hands. It revived his hope that the motel owner -at least might have survived the long drop.</p> -<p>“Quick!” he cried. “A rope!”</p> -<p>Ken went as fast as he could back to the cabin. -Without waiting, Jack scrambled down the steep -slope.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_202">202</div> -<p>He lost his footing almost at once and rolled. He -managed to break the fall with his hands, and -brought himself to a stop, unhurt, not far from the -two injured men.</p> -<p>Joe Hansart, he saw at a glance, was the more -seriously injured. The old man lay in a crumpled -heap, bleeding from a head wound. Walz was conscious, -though in a state of semi-shock.</p> -<p>“Help me,” he whimpered. “Help me. My leg is -broken.”</p> -<p>Ignoring Walz for the moment, Jack checked Joe -Hansart’s bleeding. The wound was superficial. The -old man, however, was pale, and his lips were blue. -His pulse was weak and rapid. He drew breath irregularly -and with difficulty.</p> -<p>“Take it easy,” Jack advised. “Help is on the way.”</p> -<p>He moved the old man so that his head lay downhill. -He was relieved to see that this position restored -Joe’s color a trifle and improved his pulse, but -he saw that the prospector was quivering from shock -and chill. Stripping off his jacket, he covered the -old man.</p> -<p>Leaving him for the moment, he turned his attention -to the whimpering motel owner.</p> -<p>“I’m dying,” Walz moaned. “The pain is horrible. -Do something!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_203">203</div> -<p>It was plain to see that the motel owner’s left -leg was broken. Possibly, too, he had suffered some -internal injuries. Jack, however, was inclined to -doubt it, for Walz, now that he had partially recovered -from the stunning impact, was becoming -talkative.</p> -<p>“Don’t move,” Jack advised the moaning fellow. -“Lie still until we can splint that leg.”</p> -<p>Walz, disregarding the order, tried to pull himself -to a sitting position. The effort brought new pain.</p> -<p>“That fool has done for me,” he moaned. “I’ll -never get back to Elks Creek.”</p> -<p>“After the way you left Warner and me trapped -in the mine, you don’t deserve any help,” Jack said. -“We ought to leave you here to suffer.”</p> -<p>His words were not meant to be serious. Walz -nevertheless considered them so.</p> -<p>“Don’t leave me here,” he begged. “I can’t walk -a step. I’d never get back to Elks Creek alive. You -must help me!”</p> -<p>“And if we do?”</p> -<p>“I’ll give you a share of the gold,” Walz whispered. -“I swear it. I did wrong to take the map.”</p> -<p>“What about the way you left us in the mine?”</p> -<p>“I meant to send help to you as soon as I reached -Elks Creek,” Walz mumbled.</p> -<p>Jack had his own opinion on this matter, but he let -it pass.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_204">204</div> -<p>“You wanted the gold from the very first,” he -said. “It was you, wasn’t it, who broke into Old -Stony’s cabin back in Rocking Horse? You beat him -when he woke up and found you trying to steal the -map!”</p> -<p>The motel owner’s lips trembled, for he was not -willing to answer.</p> -<p>“And it was you,” Jack went on, “who stole -Stony’s nuggets from the bag of pinto beans. If you -want any help, admit the truth.”</p> -<p>“Am I going to die?” Walz asked, his voice quavering.</p> -<p>“You’re miles from a doctor,” Jack reminded him. -“Unless we can get help to you, the situation is -bad.”</p> -<p>“I’m going to die,” Walz groaned. “I—I may as -well tell you the truth and get it off my conscience.”</p> -<p>“You slugged Old Stony?”</p> -<p>“It was an accident. I went to the cabin, hoping -to get the map—yes, I admit that. The old man -woke up and tried to stop me. I flew into a rage and -hit him. Then I ran.”</p> -<p>“Old Stony never knew it was you who tried to -rob him,” Jack said. “You can be thankful for that.”</p> -<p>“I felt terrible about it,” Walz sobbed. “I didn’t -mean to hurt Stony. Why, I liked the old duffer. I -gave him a good home. I fed and clothed him.”</p> -<p>“It was the thought of gold that turned you against -him.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_205">205</div> -<p>“And I found the gold too,” Walz whispered. “It -meant to me more than anything else. Now I’ve lost -everything.”</p> -<p>By this time Mr. Livingston and Warner had -reached the site of the accident. Ken soon came with -the rope and first-aid supplies.</p> -<p>While Mr. Livingston made a splint for Walz’ -leg, the others improvised a stretcher. They bound -Joe Hansart to it, and by dint of great labor and -ingenuity they finally carried him down to the valley -floor and from there to the cabin.</p> -<p>Meanwhile, the Scout leader had made Walz -fairly comfortable. Gradually, as it dawned upon -the motel owner that he might not die, he lapsed -into sullen silence.</p> -<p>It was only after he too had been transported to -the cabin that he began to deny his previous statements.</p> -<p>“I was out of my head,” he muttered to Jack. “If -I said anything about harming Old Stony, it was the -bunk. I don’t have any idea who broke into his -cabin at Rocking Horse.”</p> -<p>Jack and his friends avoided discussing the subject -further. Once they reached a town, they intended -to turn Walz over to the authorities. To get -out of the valley, however, was their first problem.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_206">206</div> -<p>“We’re in a bad spot,” Warner admitted, drawing -the others aside for a serious conference. “Both of -those men need a doctor.”</p> -<p>“Hansart, especially,” Mr. Livingston added. “He -has scarcely opened his eyes since we got him here. -We need food and medical supplies.”</p> -<p>“There’s only one thing to do,” Warner decided. -“Something has happened to the Forest Service -plane, I’m afraid. I’ll start right away for Elks Creek. -The only thing—I hate to leave you alone here with -two injured men.”</p> -<p>“We’ll make out,” the Scout leader assured him. -“Wait a few hours, though, before you start. If I -know Willie and War, they won’t let us down.”</p> -<p>Ken and Jack set out the signal cloth near the lake, -hoping that any pilot flying that way would see it. -Several hours elapsed.</p> -<p>The day was clear, with very little wind. Conditions -were nearly perfect for flying, yet no plane -appeared over the mountains.</p> -<p>“Something must have happened to Willie and -War,” Mr. Livingston declared, pacing nervously up -and down. “Otherwise, help would have reached us -by now.”</p> -<p>“They’ve had plenty of time to get through,” -Warner agreed. “To wait and hope any longer is -foolish.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_207">207</div> -<p>Without further discussion, he gathered his gear -together. Jack and Ken walked with him toward -the trail to the pass.</p> -<p>“I’ll make as fast a trip as I can,” he promised.</p> -<p>A bright glare was on the jagged mountain peaks. -Staring toward the pass, Jack thought he saw a small -moving speck in the sky. He rubbed his eyes. Imagination, -he told himself, for he had given up hope -that the plane would come.</p> -<p>Then Ken let out an excited shout. He too had -seen the moving object against the dark mountainside.</p> -<p>“It’s coming this way!” Craig Warner cried, -dropping his pack.</p> -<p>For a few brief moments, the trio watched anxiously. -Would the plane turn back as it had done -on the previous occasion?</p> -<p>Warner finally identified it: “It’s a Forest Service -ship, with pontoons. Boys, I think it’s heading -straight for the lake.”</p> -<p>Fearful that the pilot might miss the cabin area -or falsely conclude that no one remained there, the -three made all haste back to the lake.</p> -<p>By the time they arrived there, breathless from -running, the roar of the powerful engines could be -heard distinctly. Hap Livingston had come hurrying -out of the cabin. Anxiously the four waited, waving -their arms.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_208">208</div> -<p>Their signals were unnecessary. As the plane made -a practice run, the watchers knew that help had -arrived. In fact, as the Forest Service ship dropped -closer, Jack was able to recognize War and Willie -riding with the pilot.</p> -<p>Again the plane circled. Down fluttered a parachute -with packages of food attached. It hit the -ground about a hundred feet from where the Scouts -stood. Ken and Jack ran to retrieve it.</p> -<p>“This will be a help,” Ken declared jubilantly. -“But we need medicines—and a doctor.”</p> -<p>Working fast, Mr. Livingston and Craig Warner -ripped up the signal cloth into two flags. These the -Scout leader attached to sticks. With the improvised -wigwag device, he then began sending the message:</p> -<p>“TWO MEN BADLY HURT. NEED MORE -HELP.”</p> -<p>Over and over, he repeated the message. Whether -or not the flags could be correctly interpreted from -above, those on the ground had no way of knowing. -The plane, however, kept circling. Finally, the pilot -dipped the wings in signal.</p> -<p>“They got it!” Ken cried.</p> -<p>The watchers expected the plane to turn and head -back toward its base. Instead, it kept circling.</p> -<p>“The pilot is going to try a landing on the lake!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_209">209</div> -<p>Warner exclaimed. “He can get in, all right, but will -he ever be able to take off again?”</p> -<p>The seaplane came in low, skimmed above the -willows, and made a smooth landing. Jack, Ken, -and the two men waded out to meet their rescuers.</p> -<p>“You read my wigwag!” Mr. Livingston exclaimed, -embracing first Willie and then War, who splashed -out into the shallow water.</p> -<p>“Couldn’t get a reading except on one word—‘HELP’,” -Willie admitted. “We knew something was -really wrong, though, so we risked a landing.”</p> -<p>“Why did you turn back on your first trip here?” -Ken demanded.</p> -<p>“Engine trouble,” War explained briefly. “Just as -we came in sight of the pass, we had to turn and go -back to the base. What’s wrong here?”</p> -<p>“Quite a bit,” Mr. Livingston replied. “We have -two men on our hands—both badly hurt. We ought to -get them to a hospital without delay.”</p> -<p>After the seaplane had been anchored so that a -wayward wind would not dash it against rocks, the -group went into serious conference.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_210">210</div> -<p>The pilot, Dave Fallouby, was confident he could -get his ship into the air again, if it was not too -heavily loaded. However, he could safely carry only -three passengers. It was decided that Walz, Hansart, -and Mr. Livingston should make the return flight -with him, and that the four Scouts with Craig Warner -would go back to Elks Creek afoot by easy -stages.</p> -<p>Accordingly, the two injured men were carried -by stretcher and propped with blankets as comfortably -as possible in the plane. Mr. Livingston was -the last to climb aboard.</p> -<p>“We’ll rendezvous at the Elks Creek Hotel,” he -said. “Take it easy, boys, on the trail.”</p> -<p>Nervously, the four Scouts and Craig Warner -watched as the pilot stepped up the motors. The -lake was small. If Dave failed to gather speed -rapidly, he might crash into the rocks or willows.</p> -<p>With a mighty roar, the seaplane ploughed -through the waves. Its pontoons lifted slightly, only -to drop again into the water.</p> -<p>“Too heavily loaded!” Willie groaned.</p> -<p>“Dave will make it,” Warner said confidently.</p> -<p>A moment later the plane cleared the water. It -skimmed along barely above the lake for a distance.</p> -<p>“Climb—climb!” Jack muttered, his fists clenched.</p> -<p>The plane cleared the rocks at the far end of the -lake. Everyone took a deep, relieved breath.</p> -<p>Twice the ship circled after attaining safe altitude. -Mr. Livingston waved to reassure the Scouts that all -was well. Then the plane headed over the blue -mountains and soon was lost in the distance.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_211">211</div> -<h2 id="c25"><span class="h2line1">Chapter 25</span> -<br /><span class="h2line2">RENDEZVOUS</span></h2> -<p>Jack sprawled on the hotel bed, munching an -apple. The Elks Creek weekly newspaper was spread -before him, but he had not been reading.</p> -<p>“Hap and Craig Warner are an hour overdue,” -he complained, looking at his watch. “Why don’t -they get here?”</p> -<p>“Because they’ve been held up at the hospital,” -Ken replied calmly. “Easy, boy! You’ve been fretting -all morning.”</p> -<p>Jack rolled off the bed. Going restlessly to the -window, he gazed down on the street below. It was -nearly deserted, and there was no sign of either the -Scout leader or the rancher.</p> -<p>“Joe Hansart is in a bad way,” Willie contributed -from the other side of the room. “That’s why they -sent for Warner and Hap.”</p> -<p>“I know,” Jack acknowledged. “I ought to be -patient. It’s just that I’m eager for news.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_212">212</div> -<p>Late the previous night, the four Scouts and their -guide had reached the hotel. The long hike over -the mountains had been exhausting, if uneventful. -Nevertheless, even War and Willie had stood the -hard trip surprisingly well. A good night’s rest and -a hearty breakfast had revived everyone.</p> -<p>Very early, both Mr. Livingston and Mr. Warner -had been called to the hospital. The Scouts had -received no word from them since their hurried -departure.</p> -<p>To kill time, the Explorers began mapping out the -route they would take on the remainder of the trip -back to Belton City. For the first time since they -had left their homes weeks before, they eagerly -looked forward to returning.</p> -<p>“Route 52 looks the best to me,” Ken said, marking -it with a red pencil. “To be sure, though, we’ll -have to check at the first Automobile Club office.”</p> -<p>Footsteps were heard outside the hotel room. Instantly, -the Scouts lost interest in the map. The door -opened, and both Mr. Livingston and Craig Warner -came in. Looking tired, the two men sat down.</p> -<p>The Scout leader said, “Joe Hansart is dead.”</p> -<p>“Dead!” Jack repeated sadly.</p> -<p>Mr. Livingston nodded. “Pneumonia,” he explained -briefly. “The doctors did everything possible, -but not even the miracle drugs could save -him.”</p> -<p>“Did he die without recovering his senses?” Willie -asked in a low voice.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_213">213</div> -<p>“No,” the Scout leader answered. “At the end he -was quite clear in his mind. That was why the -hospital officials sent for us.”</p> -<p>“Did the old man tell you anything?” War demanded.</p> -<p>“We learned everything,” Craig Warner said, -taking up the story. “It’s a bit fantastic, but understandable -if you know Joe’s type as I do. As a very -young man, he chanced upon the Headless Hollow -area.”</p> -<p>“About the time Old Stony and your father found -gold there?” Jack commented.</p> -<p>“Yes, even as a young man, Joe wasn’t right in -his mind. He suffered hallucinations and had obsessions. -To make it short, poor Joe thought that the -valley and the gold belonged to him and that my -father and Stony were intruders. He spied on them -and even shot my father. Then he fled.”</p> -<p>“Did Hansart himself make that confession?” Ken -demanded.</p> -<p>“Yes, and I think it’s the truth,” the rancher -replied. “As I said, Joe’s mind was clear at the end. -I doubt if Joe ever knew Old Stony was blamed for -my father’s death.”</p> -<p>“What about the caches of gold?” War interposed -eagerly.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_214">214</div> -<p>“Joe found them. He moved the ore to the mouth -of the mine. Over the years, at remote places, he sold -just enough to keep him in supplies. You see, he -thought he had found one of the richest mines in the -state and was afraid word would leak out.”</p> -<p>“Didn’t he ever file a claim?” Ken inquired.</p> -<p>“He filed several, but improperly. As soon as we -hit town, I checked on that. I’ve filed one of my own -now. Not that it matters much.”</p> -<p>“The mine is worthless?”</p> -<p>“Not entirely so,” the rancher replied. “A man -could make a hard living there, perhaps. Only the -hand-picked ore left by Old Stony and my father has -real value. The rest assays too low to make commercial -mining profitable.”</p> -<p>“What of the ore itself?” Jack asked thoughtfully. -“Isn’t it worth anything?”</p> -<p>“Roughly, I figure it ought to net from $10,000 to -$40,000, depending on transportation costs. Whatever -it tallies, I’ll give you boys your share.”</p> -<p>“We’ve already had our share,” Mr. Livingston -said with a smile. “The gold never interested us as -much as the adventure.”</p> -<p>“Even so, cash is handy to have,” the rancher insisted. -“You could use another vacation next year, -couldn’t you?”</p> -<p>“We’re always r’arin’ to go!” War chuckled.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_215">215</div> -<p>“If I have luck getting the ore out, I’ll send you a -check,” Warner promised. “Nothing spectacular. -Enough, though, to pay you for your lost equipment—and -for a vacation next summer.”</p> -<p>“What will you do with your share?” Jack asked -curiously.</p> -<p>“Pay off the mortgage on the ranch,” Warner answered. -“Of course I’ll take care of Hansart’s last -expenses at the hospital too, and his funeral.”</p> -<p>“You don’t bear him any grudge, do you?”</p> -<p>“No, Jack. He wasn’t responsible for his actions. -What a miserable life he had!”</p> -<p>“He was the one who stole our food at the ghost -town, wasn’t he?” Willie speculated.</p> -<p>Warner nodded. “Yes, Hansart used that place as -a sort of base for supplies he carried in. He had -caches of canned food and other items stored where -he could dig them up when he wanted them. He -ventured out only when he couldn’t avoid it. Even -then, he never in recent years showed up in Elks -Creek. That’s why everybody assumed he had died.”</p> -<p>“Hansart, of course, was responsible for the area’s -bad reputation,” Mr. Livingston added. “He considered -the valley—the cabin—the gold—everything—his. -He drove off everyone who ventured that -way.”</p> -<p>“What of Walz?” Ken asked presently. “Did you -talk to him again?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_216">216</div> -<p>“Only briefly,” Mr. Livingston returned. “He is in -a savage mood.”</p> -<p>“Recovering?”</p> -<p>“Oh, yes. He’ll be as well as ever, once his leg -mends. Naturally, he denies everything.”</p> -<p>“It will do him no good,” Warner interposed. “I’ve -talked to the sheriff. A guard is being posted at his -hospital room.”</p> -<p>“Then he’ll be returned to Rocking Horse?”</p> -<p>“At the state’s expense,” Warner chuckled. “He’ll -have to stand trial for manslaughter in the death of -Old Stony. Perhaps he can convince a jury the attack -was unintentional. I seriously doubt it.”</p> -<p>That night, the entire party had a big dinner in -the hotel at Craig Warner’s expense. He introduced -them to town officials and many of his friends.</p> -<p>“If this keeps on, we’ll begin to think we’re more -important than a bank president!” War protested. -“Anyway, I’ll be glad to pull out of here tomorrow -morning.”</p> -<p>The Explorers expected to rise at dawn, slip -quietly out of the hotel, and be on their way. Therefore, -it came as a surprise the next morning, when -they found Craig Warner waiting for them beside -their car.</p> -<p>“Nice day for traveling,” he drawled. “Reckon I’ll -drive a piece with you, to show you the first fork -in the road.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_217">217</div> -<p>The rancher drove ahead through the sleepy little -town and into the hills. A blue haze hung over the -distant mountains. A few miles out of Elks Creek, -Warner pulled up, and the Scout automobile drew -alongside.</p> -<p>“Take the road to the left,” the rancher said, indicating -it with a wave of his hand. “The highway is -paved all the way.”</p> -<p>Gravely he shook hands with Mr. Livingston and -each of the Scouts in turn. Then his eyes roved -toward the high peaks, behind which Headless Hollow -lay hidden.</p> -<p>“By the way,” he said casually, “I forgot to tell -you. We’re changing the name of Crazy Mountain.”</p> -<p>“Changing it?” Jack repeated.</p> -<p>“Yes, from now on it will be known hereabouts as -Old Stony.”</p> -<p>The Scouts were silent, thinking it over. Jack -turned to gaze toward the faraway mountain top, -magnificent in the colored dawn.</p> -<p>“Old Stony,” he said, his voice husky. “I like it. So -would he. You know, fellows, that mountain couldn’t -have a more appropriate name.”</p> -<h2>Transcriber’s Notes</h2> -<ul> -<li>Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public domain in the country of publication.</li> -<li>Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and dialect unchanged.</li> -<li>Provided a new cover image for free and unrestricted use with this eBook.</li> -<li>In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.)</li> -</ul> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Boy Scout Explorers at Headless Hollow, by -Don Palmer and Mildred A. 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Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/54632-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/54632-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 280baa5..0000000 --- a/old/54632-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/54632-h/images/p1.jpg b/old/54632-h/images/p1.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 39edc74..0000000 --- a/old/54632-h/images/p1.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/54632.txt b/old/54632.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 0d9df28..0000000 --- a/old/54632.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6392 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Boy Scout Explorers at Headless Hollow, by -Don Palmer and Mildred A. Wirt Benson - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Boy Scout Explorers at Headless Hollow - -Author: Don Palmer - Mildred A. Wirt Benson - -Release Date: April 29, 2017 [EBook #54632] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BOY SCOUT EXPLORERS--HEADLESS HOLLOW *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -[Illustration: Far above them, on the high cliffs, they saw two -struggling men. - (_See page 200_)] - - - - - BOY SCOUT EXPLORERS - AT HEADLESS HOLLOW - - - _By_ - DON PALMER - - - _ILLUSTRATED_ - - - CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY - _Publishers_ _New York_ - - Copyright, 1957, by - CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY - All Rights Reserved - _Printed in the United States of America_ - - - - - CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - 1 Old Stony 9 - 2 Trouble in Camp 21 - 3 The Treasure Map 30 - 4 A Bag of Beans 37 - 5 The Search 46 - 6 The Threat 54 - 7 Under the Tent Flap 62 - 8 Walz' Proposition 72 - 9 Short Cut 81 - 10 Trickery 90 - 11 Cloud Crest Ranch 98 - 12 An Unexpected Visitor 105 - 13 Thief in the Night 113 - 14 Ghost Town 122 - 15 Warm Ashes 131 - 16 Missing Supplies 139 - 17 Avalanche 146 - 18 Dead End 152 - 19 The Cabin 161 - 20 The Plane 169 - 21 The Enemy 177 - 22 Trapped 185 - 23 Escape 192 - 24 A Fight 200 - 25 Rendezvous 211 - - - - - Chapter 1 - OLD STONY - - -The road wound through spike pines which stood silhouetted in the fading -daylight. - -Long, empty miles lay behind the weary travelers since they had left -Philmont Boy Scout Ranch in the New Mexico Rockies. More miles stretched -endlessly ahead. - -"Hey, when do we stop for grub? This air sure gives a guy a whale of an -appetite!" - -"War" Washburn, a skinny, freckled youngster, rode with feet dangling -out the car window. His question was shot at their driver, Hap -Livingston, leader of Boy Scout Explorer Post 21 of Belton City. - -Mr. Livingston and the four explorers were returning to their home state -after twelve days of rugged fun at the Boy Scout ranch. They had hoped -to reach the Colorado border by nightfall, but now that seemed -impossible. - -"Yeah," piped up tow-headed Willie Medaugh. "What say we start looking -for a camp site? It's going to get dark early tonight." - -The fifteen-year-old sat wedged in the back seat of the sedan between -Jack Hartwell and Ken Dougherty, the two more serious members of the -husky Scout crew. - -"Okay, boys," Mr. Livingston agreed. "We've had a hard drive, and I'm -ready to hit the sack--since you insist." - -Already Jack was consulting the road map. "Nearest town is Rocking -Horse, eight miles ahead," he reported. - -"We'll stop there," the Scout leader decided. "If we can find a camp -site with all the comforts of home, I'm for taking it." - -"Why, Hap!" Ken drawled. "Can't stand the gaff any more?" - -The question was asked in jest. As the four explorers knew well, their -leader, a former FBI man, could stand up under grueling physical -punishment. This he had proven during recent adventure trips to Peru and -Emerald Valley in Colombia. - -"I feel sort of lazy tonight," Hap confessed. "Riding herd over War at -Philmont must have worn me out." - -"Dragging him away from the ranch was the hardest," Jack recalled, his -blue eyes twinkling. - -"Well, there was so much to do," War defended himself. "I wanted to make -another pack trip on the trail Kit Carson once rode. And I wanted to -visit the old mine." - -From his shirt pocket he pulled out a handkerchief in which were wrapped -several bits of sparkling rock. - -"Still hoarding that junk?" Ken asked with a grin. - -"Junk! Just see it shine in the sunlight!" - -Ken pretended to cover his eyes. "The glow blinds me!" he chuckled. - -"Well, it's genuine gold," War said indignantly. "I panned it at -Philmont." - -"Sure, we know," drawled Willie. "You've told us at least twenty times." - -"That rare specimen of yours should assay about 1/800ths of a cent to -the ton!" Jack teased. - -"Anyway, it was fun panning it." - -"Everything at Philmont was fun," Jack declared. - -"Seeing deer, elk, and bear in natural surroundings. Learning how to -climb and handle an axe. Instruction in fire building and cooking. But -now it's behind us." - -"And Rocking Horse is ahead," reminded Mr. Livingston. "Save the -arguments, lads. You'll need your energy for making camp." - -The Scouts took the hint and fell silent. True, everyone would have -enjoyed another two weeks in the West, but money was dwindling. So, -laden with souvenirs and happy memories, they were now on the way home. - -Presently the dusty car pulled into Rocking Horse. The city, with a -cluster of adobe houses at the outskirts, appeared to have not more than -about eight thousand residents. After inquiry at a filling station, Mr. -Livingston drove to a motel and camp site at the city's northern edge. - -Few cars were parked near the tiny office on the roadside. The reason -for the comparative desertion was immediately apparent to the Scouts, -for the motel buildings were run-down and in need of paint. The pine -grove and camp site at the rear did not look too attractive, either. - -"How about it, boys?" Mr. Livingston asked doubtfully. - -"Oh, it may not be so bad," Jack replied. "We're all tired, so let's -hole in." - -The others agreed. Accordingly, Mr. Livingston drove up close to the -office. He and Jack went inside to register for the group. - -An old man who wore a soiled Stetson hat sat tipped back comfortably in -a chair. His big heavy boots came down from the desk, and he squinted at -them with watery blue eyes which were bright and sharp. - -"Howdy!" - -Mr. Livingston returned the hearty greeting and inquired about a camp -site. - -"Sure, we've got plenty o' room for you," the old man replied. He dug -into the old-fashioned roll-top desk for a registry book. "How many in -your party?" - -"Five. We won't need a cabin--only space for our two tents." - -"That'll cost you two bucks for the night." The old man thrust a pen at -the Scout leader. All the while, he was studying Jack's green uniform -with the "BSA" strip over the right shirt pocket. - -"Here in Rocking Horse we don't ask a man where's he going, or where -he's been," he drawled. "But danged if I'm not curious about that BSA on -your pocket. Reckon it means Better Stay Away." - -"It stands for Boy Scouts of America," Jack explained. "Are you the -motel owner?" - -"Not me." The old man stretched out a calloused hand to take the two -dollar bills Mr. Livingston offered. "These diggin's are owned by a -hard-fisted hombre by the name o' Jarrett Walz." - -"You don't like him?" Mr. Livingston asked, mildly amused at the -old-timer. - -"Didn't say so, did I? Walz gives me my grub and a cabin for lookin' -after this place. When you're pushing eighty and have a bad ticker, -you're not too particular." - -Jack and Mr. Livingston regarded the old man with new interest and -respect. Despite shaggy white hair and a weather-beaten face, he did not -look more than seventy, for his muscles were firm and his stooping -shoulders were powerful. - -"My name's Stony," the old man volunteered. "I'll show you where to -park." - -Shuffling out of the office, he directed them to the rear of the deep -lot. - -Old Stony loitered to watch as the Scouts efficiently set about -unloading equipment and setting up their tents. - -"Nested cooking pans and sleeping bags!" he cackled. "In my day, we used -a lard pail and our own backs for a mattress. Anything you'll be -wanting?" - -"Nothing, thank you," Jack assured him. - -Old Stony started to leave. Then he halted, hesitated, and said: "See -that little cabin yonder? That's where I flop. It gets kind o' lonesome -sittin' there alone at night, so if you boys have nothing to do later -on, drop by and we can chin." - -"Fine!" Jack agreed. - -"I'll bet you could spin some real tales of the Old West," War -interposed eagerly. "Were you a cow-puncher?" - -"You wouldn't catch me herding beef," Old Stony said in disgust. "I was -a prospector. If it hadn't been for a bad run o' luck, I'd own this -joint instead o' taking orders from Walz." - -"You nearly struck it rich?" War prodded. - -"Dang it!" Old Stony snorted. "I hit gold--enough to put me on Easy -Street for the rest o' my days. Only--" - -A melancholy, dreamy look crept over the old fellow's leathery face, and -his gaze became fixed upon the faraway mountains. For a long moment he -seemed lost in the memory of a colorful past. Then, with a shake of his -head, he broke up his reverie. - -"Maybe I'll tell you about it tonight," he hinted. "Then again, maybe I -won't. Anyway, drop around." - -After Old Stony had gone, the Explorers got a fire started and made -supper. Over the bacon and eggs, they discussed him and his invitation -to drop around later at his cabin. Willie was sure it would be a waste -of time, but the other Explorers wanted to go, especially War. - -"That old boy will tell us about his prospecting days if we prime him -right," he insisted, stirring the camp fire. - -"Sure, he'll spin a wild tale of finding gold," jeered Willie, "and -you'll fall for it!" - -Meeting Old Stony had made the Scouts forget their weariness. They -thought it would be interesting to chat with the aged camp worker. -Accordingly, after the supper dishes were put away, War, Ken, and Jack -went over to his cabin. It was a mild August night, and the cabin door -stood open. - -At Jack's knock, the prospector's deep voice boomed: "Come in!" - -The interior of the one-room cabin was cheerless except for a small fire -in the grate. It was furnished with a makeshift bed, a cracked mirror, a -chest of drawers, and an old rocker. - -"Sit down," Old Stony invited, waving them to a seat on the sagging bed. - -The boys could not fail to respond to the old fellow's warmth and -hospitality. Sensing his loneliness, they told him of their stay at the -Scout ranch and then launched into an account of their previous exciting -trips to Peru and Colombia. - -"You're not like the regular run o' tourists that come through here," -Old Stony said, lighting his pipe. "Right off, when I saw you make camp -I knew you weren't softies." - -"How long have you lived in Rocking Horse?" War asked. - -"Too long. But I reckon I'm stuck here until I hit the Long Trail. When -I head for that last roundup--and it's not so far off now--I reckon my -secret will die with me." - -"Your secret?" Ken repeated, sensing that the old man was ready to -launch into his tale. - -"Yup. There are men who would give their lives to know what I got locked -here." Old Stony tapped his hairy chest. "Jarrett Walz in particular." - -War leaned forward on the bed. "A secret about gold?" - -Old Stony hitched his rocker nearer the fire. Without looking at the -Explorers, he began: - -"Back in the early 1900's my podner and I made our lucky strike." - -"Here in New Mexico?" asked Jack. - -"No, in Colorado. My podner and I were lured West by the Shining -Mountains--the Rockies, folks call 'em." - -"But weren't the big Colorado gold strikes earlier than 1900?" Ken -interposed thoughtfully. "I've read about Leadville and Cripple Creek in -1891--" - -The interruption annoyed Old Stony. "This place I'm telling you about -you've never read of," he said, "and you never will because it's a place -hard to reach even today. My podner and I gave it the name of Headless -Hollow. - -"There's a way in if you know the trail and can stand hardships. There's -no way out except the way in. It's in an out-of-the way valley, rimmed -by canyons, hard by a little lake no bigger'n a tin cup. To get there -you back-pack over miles o' rock so steep it makes me dizzy to think of -'em." - -"But you found gold?" prompted War. - -"Ay, we found it, and a heap o' trouble. Here, let me show you -something." - -Abruptly Old Stony dug a polished nugget from his pants pocket. Even in -the poor lamplight, the color of gold was there. - -"Wow!" War exclaimed, breathing heavily. "That makes my sample look like -peanuts." - -"This nugget came from Headless Hollow?" Jack asked, relishing the old -man's tale. - -Stony sucked at his pipe as he carefully replaced the metal in his -wrinkled overalls. - -Without answering, he resumed: "I was a young fellow in those days, -strong as an ox. If it wasn't for my bad heart and some other things, -I'd go back there now and make my fortune." - -"Where is this valley of gold?" - -"I can't tell you, son. But there are men who would pay me well to know -my secret." - -"If you found gold," Jack asked, "why did you leave the valley?" - -"Don't ask me that question, son. My past is my own and, God willing, it -will die with me." - -The old man turned suddenly in his rocking chair. - -Unnoticed by the Explorers, a tall man in his thirties, with a -rock-like, expressionless face, had come to the open doorway. Ignoring -the Scouts, he spoke directly to Stony. - -"Crawl out, you lazy old buzzard! The man in No. 4 wants fresh towels." - -Stony got heavily from his chair. He made no answer, but the sparkle of -life had vanished from his ruddy face. - -Ill at ease, the Explorers started to leave. As if by design, the motel -owner walked with them a short distance toward their camp. - -"Old Stony spinning wild yarns again?" he demanded. - -"He was telling us about striking gold when he was a young man," War -volunteered. - -"I suppose he let you into the secret of where his precious map is -hidden?" - -"Why, no," Jack spoke up. "Does he have a map?" - -Jarrett Walz gave a snort. "That old goat is all talk. Everything he -has, even the clothes on his back, comes from me. In exchange he gives -me laziness and lies!" - -"Lies?" - -"The old fool says I am after his gold. I figure he was giving you a -line of chatter when I came up." - -"You weren't under discussion," Jack said dryly. - -"What did he tell you about his wonderful valley?" - -"Not much." - -"Leaving tomorrow?" - -"We expect to." - -"That's okay, then." The motel owner seemed suddenly relieved. "If Old -Stony bothers you again, call me. Good night now, and good rest." - - - - - Chapter 2 - TROUBLE IN CAMP - - -Cold night air seeped through the tent walls. Jack Hartwell stirred -restlessly in his sleeping bag and sat up. What had awakened him? Beside -him, Ken and Willie were dead to the world. All was quiet. - -Annoyed at himself, Jack got up and opened the tent flap. A few stars -were winking, but otherwise it was a dark night. It might be two A.M. or -thereabouts, he judged. There was no sign of anyone around the camp, yet -distinctly he sensed that something was wrong. - -It was not the first time Jack's instincts had acted as an alarm clock. -The high school senior and Explorer crew leader was gifted with high -intelligence and a certain intuition which had repeatedly saved him or -his friends from near disaster. - -Jack had proven himself the most valuable of the Explorers during the -exciting adventure trips to South America which have been described in -_The Boy Scout Explorers at Treasure Mountain_, and _The Boy Scout -Explorers at Emerald Valley_. On this particular occasion, only the four -tried-and-true Explorers had made the trip to Philmont Scout Ranch at -Cimarron, New Mexico. In Belton City, however, they were associated with -a large and active troop. - -As Jack stood shivering in the chill night air, his ears picked up a -disturbing sound. The noise, a series of thuds, and a groan, seemed to -come from the direction of Old Stony's cabin. - -Jack did not hesitate. Diving back into the tent, he reached for -trousers and shoes. By this time, Ken was awake and drowsily asked what -was wrong. - -"Something's doing at Stony's cabin," Jack told him tersely. "I'm going -to find out about it." - -Ken came fully awake in a flash. Asking no further questions, he too -began to dress hurriedly. Willie slumbered peacefully on. - -Once dressed, Jack and Ken started at a fast trot toward the cabin. - -"What made you think anything's wrong?" Ken demanded. - -Before Jack could tell him, they both saw a light flash on and off in -the cabin. Then the door opened, and a man ran out. In the darkness, the -two Explorers gained only a general impression of someone tall and -shadowy. His face was turned away from them, and he moved fast. They saw -him dart past the unlighted motel office and into an alley. - -"That wasn't Old Stony!" Ken gasped. - -"No!" - -The Scouts crossed the driveway and shoved open the cabin door. Jack -found the light switch. As the room became illuminated, he and Ken both -stiffened in horror. - -Old Stony, his bed unmade, was sprawling on the floor, bleeding from a -forehead wound. The aged man was moaning piteously. For just an instant -Ken and Jack thought he had suffered a stroke and fallen. But the -evidence convinced them otherwise. Even if they had not seen the fleeing -intruder, the condition of the cabin would have told its graphic story. -Drawers had been overturned. Old Stony's few pathetic possessions were -scattered on the bare floor. - -"Robbery," was Jack's only comment. - -Without attempting to lift the old man from the floor, they quickly -examined his wound. It did not seem deep. However, the old man was -certainly in a state of shock. - -"Get Hap and our first-aid kit," Jack directed Ken. "Better call a -doctor, too. Stony's an old fellow, and he has a heart condition." - -Ken hurried away. Left alone, Jack covered Stony with a blanket and -pillowed his head. He was turning away to look for something he could -use for a temporary bandage, when the old man's lips began to move. - -Jack bent closer. "Who was it that hit you?" he asked. - -"Don't know," the old fellow mumbled. "Woke up--the skunk was pawing -through my things. I yelled at him, and then he hit me on the skull. -Last I knew for a while." - -"You didn't see his face?" - -"No," Old Stony admitted in disgust. - -"Whoever it was must have meant to rob you." - -"The thieving rascal was after my gold and the map." - -Over Jack's protests, Old Stony raised himself up on an elbow. His gaze -raked the entire cabin from the fireplace to the bed. What he saw seemed -to satisfy him, for he gave a feeble, throaty chuckle. - -"The skunk didn't get what he was after! Old Stony is nobody's fool. -Young fellow, if you'll help me, I'll get back into bed." - -"You shouldn't move," Jack warned him. "The doctor will be here in a few -minutes." - -"Doctor, fiddlesticks! It takes more'n a little tap on the head to knock -out Old Stony." - -Because the aged man was not to be denied, Jack helped him into bed, but -he was alarmed at the prospector's pallor and weakness. - -"I'm all right," Stony mumbled. "Thank you, son." - -It was increasingly clear to Jack that the old man was not all right, so -he was greatly relieved when Ken came back with Mr. Livingston, Willie, -and War. - -One glance at the man on the bed, and the Scout leader drew Ken aside. - -"He seems to be in bad shape," he said. "Go for a doctor, and tell him -to hurry." - -While Ken was carrying out the order, the other Scouts dressed Stony's -wound. He made no further attempt to talk, but now and then managed to -grin at them in a feeble way. - -Jack and Willie made a fast tour of the motel grounds. However, it did -not surprise them that they found no trace of the man who had so -brutally attacked the cabin dweller. - -"Whoever he is, he'll be a mile from here by now," Jack remarked as they -walked back. "No question about it, theft was the motive." - -"The old man's gold and map?" - -"Right." - -"You think there is any gold?" Willie asked skeptically. - -"Last night I didn't," Jack replied thoughtfully. "Now I'm not so sure. -Old Stony certainly acted as if he had something valuable hidden in the -cabin, and apparently it's still there." - -"The thief was probably frightened away before he finished his search." - -"Either that, or he was scared, Willie. He may have hit Old Stony harder -than he intended." - -Back in the cabin the boys found that Jarrett Walz had come from his -nearby home to check on the activity. Informed by Mr. Livingston as to -what had happened, he made no attempt to hide his annoyance. - -"Now I suppose Stony will insist on lying in bed for a week!" he -snapped. - -"That's for the doctor to decide," Mr. Livingston rejoined. - -"You've sent for a doctor?" the motel owner fairly screamed. - -"We have." - -"And I'm to pay the bill?" - -"It would be a humanitarian thing to do. Stony needs a doctor. No -question about that." - -For the first time, Mr. Walz seemed concerned about his worker's -condition. He went over to the bed, peering intently at the colorless -face. After a moment, he turned away and made no further protest about -the doctor. - -It was twenty minutes later when Dr. James Alcott reached the cabin. He -checked Stony's heart, examined the wound, and then told Mr. Walz to -call an ambulance. - -"An ambulance?" the motel owner repeated. "You don't mean he's bad off? -Just from that little tap on the head?" - -"It was a hard blow," the doctor corrected him. "At the hospital we'll -take X-rays to see if there is a skull fracture. I rather doubt it, but -in any case this man needs careful attention. How old is he?" - -"Eighty-two," Walz said. "At least, that's what he claims." - -"He has a serious heart condition. At his age, a shock such as this -could be very hard on him." - -"Doc, you don't think he'll die?" Walz gasped. - -"His good physique is in his favor. I'd suggest, though, that you lose -no time getting in touch with relatives." - -"Relatives? He has none that I ever heard of." - -The motel owner was plainly worried. Nervously, he paced back and forth -in the cabin, not offering to help when Jack and Ken gathered together -the few things which Stony would need at the hospital. - -It was 3:30 A.M. by War's watch when an ambulance pulled into the -parking lot. Two attendants with a stretcher efficiently transferred -Stony from his bed to their vehicle. Jarrett Walz did not offer to ride -in the ambulance. Unwilling to see the old man taken without anyone to -sit by him, Jack and Ken climbed in. Mr. Livingston, War, and Willie -followed the ambulance in their own car. - -At the hospital, matters were taken from the Scouts' hands. Old Stony -was passed through emergency and given a ward bed. Meanwhile, Mr. -Livingston signed papers at the hospital office and provided what little -information he could about the attack. - -"Walz should have come along," the Scout leader remarked to Jack. "I -figure he stayed away for fear he'd be hooked on the bill. How is -Stony?" - -"No report yet," Jack replied. "But when I looked in on him a minute -ago, he was resting comfortably." - -"He didn't tell you anything more about his attacker?" - -"Stony didn't say a word. In fact, he hardly recognized me." - -With a shake of his head, Mr. Livingston indicated that the information -was disturbing. After a moment, he said: "Well, round up Warwick, -Willie, and Ken. We've done everything we can for the poor old fellow. -May as well get back to camp and try to catch a few winks before dawn." - -In sober silence the Scouts drove back to the motel. A light was on--in -the front office, but Mr. Walz was not there. - -"There's a light in Stony's cabin, too," Jack noted as the car turned -into the driveway. "That's funny! I distinctly recall turning it off -after everyone left." - -"That's right, you did!" Ken exclaimed. - -No one spoke for a moment as the same thought occurred to all: Stony's -mysterious attacker might have returned! - -Mr. Livingston stopped the car and switched off the ignition. - -"Come on, boys," he said grimly, heading for the cabin. "We'll find out -about this!" - - - - - Chapter 3 - THE TREASURE MAP - - -At the doorway of Old Stony's cabin, Mr. Livingston and the Scouts -halted. Inside, crouching on the floor, a man was riffling through a box -of papers, evidently pulled from beneath the bed. - -It was Jarrett Walz. - -Mr. Livingston coughed. At once the motel owner whirled around. Caught -by surprise, he lost his balance and collapsed awkwardly on the floor. - -"Oh, back already?" he asked. - -"We didn't expect to find you here," Mr. Livingston said pointedly. - -Mr. Walz got to his feet. He shoved the box of papers back under the bed -and said, "I was just looking through some of poor Old Stony's junk." - -"So we noticed," the Scout leader answered dryly. "Find what you were -after?" - -Walz gave him a quick, suspicious look. He said evenly, "I was trying to -find the names of any relatives Old Stony may have." - -"Any luck?" - -"None." - -"Not a single clue?" Jack interposed dubiously. "Old Stony must have had -a few friends." - -"No one--unless maybe you could say he kept up a writing acquaintance -with Craig Warner." - -"Who's he?" - -The motel owner shrugged. "Someone he wrote to in Colorado. A casual -acquaintance, I guess." - -"Stony didn't seem the type to bother with trivial friendships," Jack -commented. "Did he come from Colorado?" - -"Stony must have told you that much himself," Walz retorted, making no -attempt to hide his growing distaste for the conversation. - -"We don't mean to be inquisitive," interposed Mr. Livingston smoothly. -"However, it's rather important to know something of Stony's past. What -was his last name?" - -"Who knows? When he came here, he told me his name was John Stone. -That's how he got his nickname, Old Stony. Later, he said his name was -Adams. And once he told me it was Pickering. So take your choice." - -"He must have had something to hide." - -"Old Stony ran away from a past. I suspected that when I hired him." -Walz laughed without mirth. "He was afraid to set foot over the Colorado -line, so I figured he was wanted for something in that state." - -"He kept it a secret?" - -"Old Stony never told me anything. Nothing, that is, except wild yarns. -The truth is, he disliked me and was ungrateful for all I did to help -him." - -"Well, he's in a bad spot at the moment," Mr. Livingston said. "Any idea -who might have attacked him?" - -"Not the slightest." - -"The motive?" - -"Oh, I figure some hoodlum put faith in Stony's story of having gold or -a map to a gold mine. Trouble with him, he couldn't keep his lips from -wagging. He invited the attack." - -"You've reported it to the police?" - -Walz frowned. "Why, no. Figured it was none of their business." - -"It's customary, isn't it, to report an assault and an attempted theft?" - -"Not in Rocking Horse it isn't," Walz said shortly. "A police -investigation here wouldn't mean a thing. Far as I'm concerned, Stony -will have to do the reporting, if any is done." - -"That may not be possible." - -"Oh, he'll snap out of it," Walz said carelessly. "That old boy has a -constitution like iron." - -"I hope you're right. Just what can you tell us about Stony?" - -Walz edged toward the door. Plainly, he wanted to put an end to the -questions. But he replied: "I told you about all I know. He drifted into -this town like a tumbleweed some years ago. I gave him a job--his board -and room in return for looking after the cabins." - -"He never told you much about himself?" Ken inquired. - -"Oh, he talked enough, but always he handed out lies. The old coot was -suspicious by nature. Why, he became obsessed with the idea I wanted to -rob him of his gold and the map!" - -"He did show us a nugget last night," War said. "A big one." - -"Oh, that!" - -"Wasn't it real gold?" War asked in disappointment. - -"It's gold, all right. But you can bet Old Stony never dug it from a -mine or washed it from a creek." - -"By the way, I wonder what became of that nugget?" Jack asked. "Old -Stony had it wrapped in a handkerchief last night." - -"I have the nugget." Walz made the admission half defiantly. "Old Stony -sets great store by it. I figured I'd better take it before someone went -off with it. Tomorrow I'll drop it around to him at the hospital." - -The Scouts had their own opinion of the motel owner's motive in taking -the nugget. However, they could not accuse him. - -Jack did say, "Find any other nuggets?" - -"Nothing." Walz pushed past him, through the open door. "Excuse me, now. -I've had a hard night and I'm turning in." He started away, only to -halt. "You're leaving today?" - -"We expect to," Mr. Livingston returned. - -"Well, have a good trip," Walz said, with a show of friendliness. - -The Scouts waited outside the cabin until the motel owner was beyond -view. Then Willie remarked that Walz had neglected to lock the door. - -"That indicates he's gone through poor Old Stony's possessions from A to -Z," Jack declared. "He's satisfied there's nothing of value here." - -"Even so, it would do no harm to look around ourselves," War proposed. -"Walz could have missed something." - -Mr. Livingston vetoed the suggestion. "No, War. This is Stony's cabin. -It ought to be locked." - -"Let's all get to bed," Willie urged. "Look at the horizon. It's nearly -dawn." - -After a bit of debate, the Scouts decided to try to catch an hour of -sleep before breaking camp. Accordingly, forgetting the unlocked cabin -door, they retired to their tents. Everyone slept soundly. - -When Jack finally opened his eyes, a hot sun was beating down on the -canvas. He was alone in the tent. Peering out, he sniffed the aroma of -frying eggs. The others were up ahead of him. - -"Gosh, am I lazy!" he exclaimed. "What time is it?" - -"Ten to nine," Willie told him as he turned the eggs. "You were sleeping -like a babe, so we didn't call you." - -Jack quickly dressed and helped Mr. Livingston strike and pack the two -tents. By that time Willie had breakfast ready to serve. - -"We're making a late start," the Scout leader said, looking ruefully at -his watch. "But we all needed sleep. Last night was rough." - -"Wonder how Old Stony is getting along?" Jack speculated. "Any word?" - -"I went up to the office to inquire," Ken replied. "The place was locked -up. No sign of Walz. He's probably still in bed." - -"I sort of hate to pull out of here without knowing Stony's okay." - -"Sure, we all do," Ken agreed soberly. "After we're packed and ready to -hit the road, what say we stop somewhere to telephone the hospital?" - -"Good idea," Mr. Livingston approved. "I was going to suggest it -myself." - -In short order the Scouts finished breakfast, disposed of the garbage, -and put out their fire. Soon the car was packed ready for their -departure. - -"Well, we're leaving the camp cleaner than we found it," Ken said, -making a last careful survey before they pulled out. - -Mr. Livingston turned the car around on the lot and started to drive -past the office. Before he could do so, a man came across the street -from a drugstore and signaled for the car to stop. - -As Mr. Livingston pulled up, the stranger said: "The hospital just -called." - -"About Stony?" - -"Yes, the motel office seems to be closed. So they called my place." - -"How is he?" Mr. Livingston inquired. - -"He's taken a turn for the worse." - -"You've told Walz?" - -The man from the drugstore shook his head. "Old Stony doesn't want to -see Walz. It's you folks he's asking for. If you can, go right away, or -it may be too late." - - - - - Chapter 4 - A BAG OF BEANS - - -In the corridor of Memorial Hospital, Doctor Alcott confirmed the -information the Scouts had been given--Old Stony had suffered a heart -attack and was not expected to live. - -"Is he still conscious?" Mr. Livingston asked. - -"Yes, and his mind remains alert. He has been asking repeatedly for the -Scouts. That's why we sent for you. Sorry to bother you, but it seems to -mean a lot to the old man. Something appears to be on his mind." - -"I'm glad you did call," Mr. Livingston replied. "May we go in now?" - -"Yes, but it would be better if only two of you see him, and don't stay -long." - -Accordingly, while the others waited in the downstairs lobby, Hap and -Jack followed a nurse into the ward. A screen had been set up at Old -Stony's bed to provide a measure of privacy. - -As Mr. Livingston and Jack paused beside him, the old fellow opened his -eyes and managed to grin feebly. - -"How are you feeling?" Jack asked, because he could think of nothing -else to say. - -"Not so hot," Old Stony returned. His bloodless fingers plucked at the -sheet. "Reckon I'm about ready to mount my pale white horse and ride to -the last roundup." - -"Not at all," Mr. Livingston tried to reassure him. "In a few days -you'll snap out of this. There's fighting spirit in you, Stony." - -"Ah, there's fight, but the old ticker's getting mighty tired." - -Stony closed his eyes and for several minutes seemed almost to forget -his visitors. They were debating whether or not to slip away quietly, -when he aroused himself again. - -"Pull up your chairs and listen close," he said. "I've got to tell you -something important." - -"Are you sure you feel strong enough to talk?" Mr. Livingston inquired -doubtfully, as he and Jack brought their chairs to the bedside. - -"Fiddlesticks! If it takes my last breath, I have to get this off my -chest. Now, listen close, because I'm winding up to tell you the true -story o' why I never went back to Colorado to live on my hard-earned -gold." - -Jack and Hap exchanged a quick glance. Would the old man tell them -another wild tale, they wondered? Or would this story, in all -probability his last, be a true one? - -"Don't be wasting time trying to find any of my family after I've kicked -off." - -"You have no relatives?" - -"Nary a chick." - -"How about your friend in Colorado?" Jack suggested. "I think Jarrett -Walz said his name was Craig Warner." - -Old Stony rolled his head on the pillow. "That snooping rascal!" he -muttered. "He's been in my things since they carted me off here!" - -"I'm afraid he has," Mr. Livingston admitted. Fearful of agitating the -old man, he did not tell him the extent to which the motel owner had -gone through his personal papers. - -"Craig Warner isn't exactly my friend," Old Stony said slowly. "Reckon -he'd hate me if he knew the truth." - -"You write to him sometimes?" Mr. Livingston suggested. - -"Now and then I scratch him a line. I'm not much on writing, and he -isn't much on answering. Haven't heard from him in more'n three years -now." - -"If he's not a friend, why write?" Jack asked, puzzled. - -"It's because of my past. Craig doesn't know this--he thinks I'm Hank -Stone, a screwball prospector. That's the way I want it. But the reason -I kept in touch all these years is because he's the only son o' my old -podner, John Warner." - -The effort of talking had tired Old Stony. He lay a while with eyes -closed and then continued. - -"I'm not one to deal from the bottom of a deck. I'm honest, I am. That's -why I've never trusted Jarrett Walz. Maybe I'm being unfair. He gave me -a job, and for that I'm grateful. But I'd never trust him with my -secret." - -"About the gold?" Jack prodded. - -Old Stony nodded. "I'll start at the beginning," he went on. "'Twas back -in the early 1900's. I don't exactly recollect the date. My podner, John -Warner, and I got ourselves enough grub to last three months. Then we -hit for the valley we later named Headless Hollow." - -"Where was it?" Mr. Livingston asked. "West of Denver?" - -"Ay, it's hard by a mountain where even to this day gold has never been -struck--at least, word of it hasn't hit the papers." - -"Most of the old gold fields are known--" Mr. Livingston started to say. - -The old man broke in: "Headless Valley is hard to get at. The vein my -podner and I found is rich, but it isn't extensive enough to make it -worth while hauling in expensive mining equipment. So I reckon engineers -have given it the go-by." - -"But you and your partner really found gold there?" Jack asked, rather -impressed. - -"We sure did. And then our troubles began. All that summer we worked -till our hands were blistered. We stacked the ore in two caches--one big -and one little. Our food began to run low. We knew we had to get out -fast before winter set in, but the gold held us. And then--" - -Old Stony shuddered and seemed unable to go on. But with an effort, he -forced himself to resume: - -"So far as we knew, there weren't any human beings within forty miles of -Headless Valley. We never set eyes on a soul all that summer. But one -morning my podner showed up missing. I found him by the diggings, dead -with a bullet hole through the back of his head." - -"What did you do?" Jack asked, becoming more engrossed. - -"I buried him not far from the little cabin we had built. Marked the -grave with his name too." - -"Who killed John Warner?" Mr. Livingston asked. - -"All these years I've been asking myself that same question. Indians, I -reckon. Maybe Headless Hollow was sacred ground to 'em, and they didn't -like us messing around." - -"The killing wasn't because of the gold?" - -"Reckon not," Old Stony replied to the Scout leader's inquiry. "Nary a -nugget was touched. I'm telling you, after poor John got his, I was -plumb scared. I couldn't see anybody around, but I could feel 'em. Sort -o' like ghosts." - -"Ghosts don't fire shots," Mr. Livingston said dryly. - -"Danged right they don't! I figured I'd be next if I didn't light out o' -there. I took a few of the nuggets that I could carry in a bag and hit -the trail. Doggone near froze to death before I finally got back to the -nearest town." - -"You left the hidden gold?" Jack asked. - -"Yeah, and I reckon it's still there today. At least, I don't think -those caches would ever be found, unless by somebody who was watching -us, or by Indians." - -"Why didn't you go back later?" Mr. Livingston asked. - -Old Stony heaved a heavy sigh. "Figured you'd ask me that one. Reckon -I've got to answer true. When I got back--well, folks began whispering -that I was the one that did for poor old John. They said I shot him so I -could have the claim all to myself." - -"Didn't other prospectors try to find Headless Hollow?" Mr. Livingston -asked thoughtfully. "It's inconceivable that your arrival with gold -wouldn't set off a mad scramble." - -"I fooled 'em. Told 'em a mess of lies that led 'em packing in the wrong -direction." Old Stony grinned at the recollection. "They sure were -burned up! So to even the score, they got out a warrant charging me with -poor John's murder. That was when I lit out." - -"You left Colorado?" Jack prompted. - -"I sure did. First I went to California and lost my grubstake there. -Then I drifted back to Arizona, then on here to New Mexico. Always -figured some day I'd go back to Headless Hollow. But the years came on -too fast, and before I knew it, I was an old man and my last chance was -gone." - -By this time, Jack and Mr. Livingston were convinced that Stony's story -was at least half truth. As for his gold, they were of the opinion that -the one hoarded nugget that Walz had must have represented his entire -fortune. - -Therefore, it came as a surprise when the old man went on: "Now I'm -coming to the kernel o' the nut. I reckon I owe poor old John a debt. -Half of that gold I took out of Headless Hollow I figured was his. I've -kept that half--never touched it, even when I didn't know where my next -mouthful of meat was coming from. Now I want that gold to go to John's -son, Craig Warner." - -Jack and Mr. Livingston began to catch the drift of Stony's thoughts, so -they were not too surprised at his request which came haltingly. - -"Reckon it's a lot to ask o' strangers--but I have no one I can trust. -I'm asking you--after I'm gone--will you get word to Craig Warner? Take -him the map--the one that shows the true trail to Headless Hollow and -the caches of gold. They're his by rights, and I want him to have 'em." - -"Where is this map?" Mr. Livingston asked, trying not to show that the -strange request troubled him. - -Old Stony leaned over to the edge of the bed, lowering his voice to a -whisper. - -"You'll find it under the stones--fireplace--my cabin." - -"We'll be glad to look," Mr. Livingston promised. "Where are we to find -Craig Warner?" - -"His address is in my box of papers--under the bed." - -The lengthy conversation had greatly wearied Old Stony but, when Jack -and Mr. Livingston started to leave, with a feeble gesture of his hand -the prospector waved them back. - -"Just one thing more," he said, his voice husky. "The gold--Craig -Warner's share--you'll find it--" - -A nurse had come to the bedside. With a quick glance at the patient, she -told the two visitors they had to leave at once. - -Old Stony summoned all his failing strength. Gazing steadily at Jack and -Hap, he said clearly: "The bag of pinto beans. The bag of beans. You -understand?" - -To satisfy the dying old man, the two visitors nodded. Stony fell back -on the pillow, a smile on his thin lips. - -"I've said my piece," he whispered. "Now I'm ready for the long trip -over the range. God be with you." - - - - - Chapter 5 - THE SEARCH - - -The nurse motioned for Jack and Mr. Livingston to leave. - -"Goodbye, Stony," Jack said, reaching out to grasp the gnarled hand in a -last farewell. - -The old man's lips twitched slightly, but his closed eyes did not open. -Jack and Mr. Livingston quietly departed. - -"I'm afraid we'll never see the old fellow again," the Scout leader said -with a shake of his head. - -Jack asked Hap what he thought of the story the old prospector had told. - -"I don't rightly know," he replied. "Stony seemed to be telling the -truth. It's fantastic--and yet it's possible that Headless Hollow may -actually exist." - -War, Willie, and Ken were impatiently waiting in the hospital lobby. -Eagerly, the trio plied Jack and their leader with questions. With deep -interest, they listened to Hap's report of the talk with Old Stony. - -"What's our move, now?" Ken asked. "Do we pull out of Rocking Horse or -drive back to the motel?" - -"Back to the motel," Hap decided. "Jack and I made a promise to Stony. -We must at least make an attempt to get Craig Warner's address and -notify him." - -"What about the map?" War demanded. - -"Oh, we might make a brief search for that too," the Scout leader said -with a grin at War's eagerness. - -"What did Stony say about gold nuggets being hidden in a bag of pinto -beans?" War went on. "And what are pinto beans?" - -"Pinto means mottled, doesn't it?" Jack recollected. "Stony must have -meant some kind of fancy, painted bean. And that reminds me! I did see a -bag of something hanging on the wall!" - -"That's right!" agreed Ken. "On a hook near the fireplace." - -"After Stony had been struck, he raised up and looked directly at that -bag!" Jack added. "He seemed relieved that it was still there." - -"Well, if ever Old Stony had any valuables, it's a cinch Jarrett Walz -has them by now," Willie contributed as the group left the hospital. -"Are we telling him about our talk with the old man?" - -"I think not," Mr. Livingston decided. "Stony entrusted a secret to us. -Let's keep it a secret." - -The Scouts had hoped to return to the motel without meeting Walz again, -but in this they were disappointed. As their heavily laden car turned -into the driveway, the motel owner came out of his office. His scowl -told them that their unexpected return did not please him. - -However, he merely said: "Back so soon?" - -"We ran into complications," Mr. Livingston rejoined, without explaining -about the hospital trip. - -Evidently, Walz had not learned that the Scouts had gone to Old Stony's -bedside, for he continued: "You're not figuring on staying here another -night?" - -"Well, we might," the Scout leader replied. "It all depends. You don't -object, do you?" - -"Object? Why should I? Not if you pay your camp fee. I'd think, though, -that you'd want to hit the road. There's nothing of interest to see in -or around Rocking Horse." - -"We like the place," Jack said. "I vote to stay another day." - -"Same here," chimed in Willie. - -Mr. Livingston dug into his wallet and handed the motel owner two -dollars. For a moment, the Scouts thought Walz intended to refuse, but -with a shrug he pocketed the bills and told them to go back to their -former camp site. - -The Scouts busied themselves setting up the tents. They had no intention -of visiting Stony's cabin while Jarrett Walz was near. - -"Keep an eye on the motel office," Jack advised Willie. "If he leaves, -that's our cue to go to work." - -But Walz did not leave, and the Scouts began to grow restless. Finally, -Ken and Jack, without entering the cabin, began to inspect the ground -outside. Without much hope of finding anything significant, they -searched for a clue to the identity of Stony's mysterious attacker. -Almost at once, Jarrett Walz came out of the motel office. His sudden -appearance made it clear he had been watching them all the while. - -"What are you boys doing?" he demanded. - -"Thought we might find a few footprints," Jack replied carelessly. - -He stooped to inspect a large shoe imprint in a moist spot of earth not -far from the cabin door. - -"That's from my boot," Walz informed him. - -"Yes, it is," Jack agreed, noticing that the heel print was identical -with one made by the shoe Walz wore. - -"Those prints don't mean a thing. I've been in and out of that cabin -several times this morning. Fancy yourselves detectives, eh?" - -"No," Ken told him evenly, "but we'd like to find out who attacked -Stony. You reported the affair to the police?" - -"The police were out here this morning. Reckon they heard about it from -the hospital." - -"Any suspects?" - -"Not a one. Police are satisfied the motive was robbery. Probably some -hoodlum who met Stony was taken in by his story of having great wealth." - -"You're satisfied it was only a yarn?" Jack asked, watching the motel -owner's face intently. - -"About the gold? Sure. He had only that one nugget." - -"And the map?" - -Walz eyed Jack shrewdly. "Well, the old goat might have had a map," he -conceded. "If so, he hid it in a good place. He didn't give you any -hints, did he?" - -"Hints?" Jack repeated, stalling for time. He had no intention of -disclosing his knowledge to the motel owner. - -"Say, what about this fellow Craig Warner?" Ken interposed, to distract -Walz from the treasure map. "Do you know where he lives?" - -"On some ranch in Colorado. That's all I can tell you." - -"You didn't find his address in those papers under the bed?" - -"No," Walz answered shortly. - -He might have added more, but just then a call came from the motel -office. Walz was gone about ten minutes. When he returned, his face was -grim. - -"That was a telephone message from the hospital," he reported. -"Stony's--dead." - -Ken and Jack accepted the information in silence. Though the sad news -was not unexpected, it gave them both an empty feeling to know that the -old fellow had indeed mounted his pale pony and ridden to the Last -Roundup. - -"I've got to go to the hospital now," Walz went on, looking worried. -"Arrangements have to be made for the burial. I'd let the county do it, -but folks would talk. So I'll dig down into my pocket, I suppose." - -The Scouts did not reply. After a while, Walz went to his car and they -saw him drive away. - -"Now's our chance!" Ken suggested. "I don't like to do anything sneaky, -but it's just as well Old Eagle Eye doesn't know what we're about." - -"Now that poor Old Stony is gone, it's even more important we find that -map and Craig Warner's address," Jack added. - -Ken went for Mr. Livingston and the other Scouts. The cabin door had not -been locked. - -Once inside, the group turned to the box of papers under the bed. The -collection of letters was pathetically small. There were two notes -written by a woman who signed herself Sadie, but the dates were so far -back, that even had there been an address, she would probably have no -longer been alive. - -The Scouts could find no letters from Craig Warner. They were about to -give up the search when Willie came upon the man's address written in a -tiny notebook with yellowed pages. - -"Craig Warner, Red Cliffs Ranch, Elks Creek, Colorado," he read aloud. -Mr. Livingston wrote down the address and then the Scouts turned their -attention to the search for gold and the treasure map. The bag of pinto -beans had been removed from the wall hook. However, Jack came upon it in -a corner of the room. - -"That bag was hanging on the wall last night," he commented. "I hope -Jarrett Walz hasn't been ahead of us." - -As Jack emptied the colored beans onto the bed, the Scouts gathered -around. But the sight was disappointing. The bag contained nothing but -beans. - -"Not a single nugget," War said in disgust. "Old Stony must have been -handing us a line!" - -"Not necessarily," Jack replied, refilling the bag and returning it to -its former place on the wall hook. "Last night or this morning after -Stony was taken to the hospital, someone moved this bag." - -"Walz?" Willie asked. - -"Could be. Of course, the cabin door has been unlocked, so maybe it's -not fair to accuse him." - -"It will be a waste of time even looking for the map," Willie said. - -The others were inclined to agree with him. However, no one would have -willingly left the cabin without making the search. - -Jack and Ken dropped on hands and knees before the fireplace. Raking -away some of the loose, cold ashes, they began to explore the -hearthstones. - -To their surprise they hit one which moved a trifle. - -Jack pried it up with his knife. Beneath the stone lay a yellowed paper, -tightly folded. - -"The map!" he chortled. "Old Stony's story may be true!" - - - - - Chapter 6 - THE THREAT - - -The Explorers and Mr. Livingston clustered close to Jack, peering at the -paper he had found under the hearthstones. Carefully, he spread the -yellowed sheet on the cabin floor. - -"It's a map, all right," Ken confirmed, studying it over Jack's -shoulder. "A rough one, though. And the ink has faded." - -The area on the map appeared to be in the most rugged section of the -Colorado Rockies, west of Denver and toward the southwest portion of the -state. So far as the Scouts could determine, the take-off point for Old -Stony's Headless Hollow was a little town which had been mapped in as -Buckhorn. Other landmarks were Cinnamon Pass and Superstition Canyon. -Headless Hollow itself seemed guarded by twin mountain peaks, unnamed in -the sketch. - -"Well, it's a map," Mr. Livingston conceded. "That's about all you can -say for it." - -"Nothing is drawn in proportion," Willie complained. "Most of the -directions for reaching Headless Hollow--if there is such a place--must -have been in Old Stony's head." - -"It's my bet he purposely made it vague," said Jack. - -"Probably wanted to fix it so that nobody stealing the map could have -reached the valley too easily," Ken agreed. - -The Scouts politely waited for Mr. Livingston to offer his opinion. - -"We more or less made Old Stony a promise," he reminded the group. "So -whether or not this map has value, it's our duty to deliver it to Craig -Warner if we can find him." - -"That may not be so easy," remarked Jack. "Stony's information isn't -very up to date. Elks Creek may or may not be a recent address." - -"In any case--" Happy started to say. - -"Watch it," Jack warned in an undertone. - -Quick as a flash, he scooped the map from the floor, thrusting it under -his jacket. - -The reason for his action was immediately apparent. Footsteps had been -heard on the gravel driveway outside the cabin. Before the Scouts could -move away from the fireplace, Jarrett Walz loomed on the threshold. His -suspicious glance roved from one face to another, but the Scouts -volunteered no explanation for their presence in the cabin. - -He said sharply: "Well! I hardly expected to find you here!" - -"We weren't looking for you back so soon," Willie stammered. - -"That's quite obvious. What are you doing here?" - -"No harm, I assure you," Mr. Livingston said. "To be quite truthful, we -promised Old Stony that if anything happened to him, we'd try to get in -touch with someone he knew." - -"Craig Warner?" - -"Yes." - -"Looking after Stony's affairs is my job, not yours," the motel owner -said, his dark eyes snapping. - -"We're not trying to intervene, we assure you." - -"You had no business seeing my workman in the hospital!" Jarrett Walz -continued, his voice rising. "Oh, you kept quiet about your visit there, -but I learned of it, all the same!" - -"We made no secret of our trip," Mr. Livingston replied. He was trying -to remain polite, but the motel owner's belligerent attitude annoyed -him. - -"That's so," War chimed in, glaring at Walz. "We went because the old -man sent for us." - -"He sent for you?" the motel owner repeated, his eyes glittering. "Why?" - -War had told more than he intended. He began to stall: "Well, the old -fellow was dying. He just wanted to see us." - -"About what?" - -"Just to see us." - -"You must think me very stupid to accept that! Why shouldn't he have -sent for me? Here I've given him bed and board, but in his last hour, he -turns to five utter strangers! Folks in Rocking Horse will say--" - -"Yes?" Mr. Livingston prompted, as the motel owner interrupted himself. - -"They'll say Old Stony was ungrateful," Mr. Walz completed. "And he -was!" - -From the shifty look of the motel operator's eyes, the Scouts judged -that he had checked himself on the verge of saying something entirely -different. Though they had no evidence, it struck them that in all -probability over the years Jarrett Walz had profited quite handsomely -from the old prospector's unpaid labor. - -"Any information on Stony's attacker?" Mr. Livingston inquired. - -"No. I talked briefly with a police officer at the hospital. Stony died -from a heart attack, not the results of the blow." - -"So there will be no investigation?" - -"Oh, a routine one," Jarrett Walz answered with a shrug, "but whoever -slugged Stony probably hopped a train and blew out of town." - -The Scouts were convinced that the motel owner had succeeded in -discouraging any police investigation. Publicity no doubt would harm his -business. Though they did not like the way he had handled the affair, -they told themselves it really was none of their concern. - -"Well, boys, we may as well get back to our own camp," Mr. Livingston -suggested, edging toward the door. - -Jarrett Walz did not move aside. - -"Just a minute," he said. "I'll appreciate an explanation before you -go." - -"An explanation?" Mr. Livingston asked, puzzled. "For what?" - -"Your presence in this cabin." - -The Scout adviser began to grow irritated, yet he managed to keep his -voice controlled. - -"We did explain, I think. We were looking for Craig Warner's address." - -"You found it?" - -"We did." - -"And what do you intend to do with it?" - -"Notify Warner of Stony's death, naturally." - -"You think he'd care?" Jarrett Walz demanded with a slight sneer. "I -doubt he ever laid eyes on that old coot." - -"That's beside the point. We made a promise to Stony, and we intend to -keep it." - -"A Scout's word is to be trusted, eh?" - -"It is." - -"Okay," Walz retorted triumphantly. "Then tell me the truth--no more of -your double talk. You came here to find more than an address." - -"Perhaps we did," the Scout leader rejoined. "As I recollect, you made a -rather careful search of this cabin yourself." - -"That's different," Walz said, immediately on the defensive. "Stony was -my workman. You are strangers here." - -"You have a point," Mr. Livingston conceded, determined not to argue. "I -suggest you lock the cabin door." - -"It's like locking the barn after the horse is stolen!" Walz said, eying -the Scout leader calculatingly. "You're deliberately hiding something! I -think you came here to find the old man's gold!" - -"Why, you--" War exclaimed, half lunging at the motel owner. - -Ken and Jack restrained him. - -"Spunky little tiger, aren't you?" Walz demanded with a hard, mirthless -laugh. - -"It seems to me," drawled Jack, addressing the motel owner, "that you're -changing your tune about the gold. Until now, you've maintained Stony's -tale was fantastic." - -"And so it is!" - -"You're the one who should know," Willie said significantly. "You were -the first to go through Old Stony's things." - -The Scouts expected the motel owner to fly into a rage at this -accusation, but to their surprise he shrugged it off. - -"I found nothing. Absolutely nothing." - -"Not even in the bag of pinto beans?" War asked. - -Walz' lips twitched, and a flush overspread his ruddy cheeks. - -"I see Old Stony did tell you quite a story," he sneered. "Oh, you can't -fool me! You weren't here on any good-will mission. You were looking for -gold and a treasure map." - -"You've changed your idea about the map, too," Jack accused him. - -"Maybe I have! Maybe I've come to the conclusion Old Stony told you a -few things he never entrusted to any other person in Rocking Horse." - -"Conclude as you please," Mr. Livingston said shortly. - -"I'm asking a straight question. Did you find a map in this cabin?" - -"You'll have to learn that answer for yourself, my friend." - -Walz and the Scout leader gazed steadily at one another. Then abruptly -the motel owner's manner changed. He moved aside so that the Scouts -could file out the cabin door. - -"You have the map," he said in an oddly quiet voice. "I knew it the -moment I stepped into this room." - -No one gave Walz the satisfaction of a reply. - -He continued, his tone a warning: "Just bear in mind one thing. In -trusting you with his secret, Old Stony may have passed on to you his -own misfortune--the curse that hangs over Headless Hollow!" - - - - - Chapter 7 - UNDER THE TENT FLAP - - -Back in their own camp, the Explorers made certain Jarrett Walz had not -followed them. - -Then, in the privacy of the larger tent, they eagerly spread out the -treasure map for a closer inspection. Jack got the Colorado road guide -from the car, and they pored over it, trying to pinpoint Headless -Hollow. - -"There's no such place," War announced after a long study of the basic -Colorado map. - -"You didn't expect to find Headless Hollow printed in big red letters, -did you?" Ken demanded. - -"That was only a name Old Stony and his partner gave the valley," Jack -added. - -"We can't find any of the landmarks either," War grumbled, "or that town -where Craig Warner is supposed to live--Elks Creek." - -"It may be too small a place to be on a road map," Mr. Livingston -returned. "Buckhorn, too." - -"This treasure map isn't drawn to scale, either," Willie said with a -frown. "Most of the canyons and mountain peaks aren't named. The main -landmark seems to be those twin peaks which guard the entrance to the -valley." - -"We're not going there, anyhow," Ken said, giving him an amused, knowing -look. "So why worry about it?" - -"Well, it would be exciting to look for that cache of gold," Willie -retorted. - -"If we could locate a take-off town it might not be too far out of our -way," War put in eagerly. "How about it, Hap?" - -Mr. Livingston smiled but shook his head. - -"No treasure hunting on this trip, boys. We're supposed to be back in -Belton City by the end of the week." - -"Oh, a few days more or less wouldn't matter," War said carelessly. - -"There's a little matter of money," Ken reminded him. "We have just -enough, with a few dollars in reserve, to make it home." - -"I know," War admitted, crestfallen. "But a fellow can dream, can't he?" - -Jack continued to study the map. - -"Make anything of it?" Ken asked. - -"Either on purpose, or because he was careless, Stony made his markings -vague. He was especially slack about printing in names." - -"What'll we do with the map?" Willie asked the Scout leader. - -"It's our duty to turn it over to Craig Warner. Our best bet will be to -send him a wire." - -"Telling him we have the map?" - -"No, Willie. Not in the first wire. We'll report Stony's death and ask -him to reply." - -It had been the Scout plan to start on toward Belton City, a journey of -several days, but in view of the promise made to Old Stony, they now -were uncertain what to do. - -"We've already lost most of the morning," Mr. Livingston said, looking -at his wristwatch. "If I get a telegram off right away, we might have a -reply by tonight if we're lucky." - -He reflected a moment, then reached a decision. - -"We've paid for the site until tomorrow morning, boys. If we're ever -going to hear from Craig Warner, we ought to have a reply by that time." - -Willie and Warwick decided to ride into the main section of town with -the Scout adviser. Jack and Ken agreed to watch the camp while the -others were dispatching the telegram. - -"Don't let Walz or anyone grab that map," Willie warned, as the car -pulled away. - -Left to themselves, Jack and Ken discussed Old Stony for a while. Now -that they were away from the hospital and the magic of his voice, the -tale of treasure seemed farfetched. - -"Maybe it was just a fixation he had," Ken said thoughtfully. "I've read -of old prospectors drawing maps of imaginary places. Then they'd dream -over 'em so long they'd convince themselves the treasure was real." - -"Jarrett Walz seemed to think Stony's story mostly hot air. At least, -that's what he put out at first. But if he didn't believe it, why did he -paw through everything in the cabin?" - -"Including that bag of pinto beans." - -"Yeah, Ken, it's just possible he found a few nuggets in the -beans--enough to get him excited about the map." - -"What did you think of his crack about the curse of Headless Hollow?" - -"Melodrama. Maybe he wanted to discourage us from going there." - -"If so," Ken grinned, "he went about it the wrong Way. He should know -that adventure is our dish!" - -"Walz may know more about Old Stony's past than he's letting on," Jack -said thoughtfully. "You notice he gets his statements mixed. Another -thing, he poohpoohs the idea of a treasure, but he seems wild to get his -hands on this map." - -Ken nodded. "We should hide it in a safe spot." - -"Where?" - -"Not in our duffel bags. That would be the first place he'd look." - -Jack's eye fell upon the tent flap. "Why not under there?" he suggested. -"At least until Hap gets back with the car?" - -"Good idea." - -Folding the map into a tiny square, they hid it under the tent flap. -Then, satisfied that it would be safe, they set about preparing lunch. - -By the time Mr. Livingston, War, and Willie drove up, a big pot of stew -was giving off a delightful aroma. Ken made tea and tossed a handful of -raisins in the boiling rice. - -"Any news?" Jack asked the Scout leader, as they all sat down at a -picnic table to eat. - -"Nothing of consequence. We sent off the telegram. The telegraph company -agent promised to telephone us here if there is any answer." - -"What about Stony?" Ken questioned, after a moment. "Police haven't -caught that fellow who attacked him?" - -"No. We dropped around at the station. Apparently, Jarrett Walz was -right--the investigation won't be carried on with any vigor." - -"What--about the arrangements--Stony's burial?" - -"Tomorrow at 10 A.M. The town is providing for a simple service." - -"Not Walz, then?" - -"He's contributing a small amount." - -"I'd like to chip in for flowers," Jack said soberly. "Even if our money -is short, we can manage it, can't we?" - -"Yes, Jack," Mr. Livingston nodded. "While we were in town, we arranged -for a wreath. It seemed the least we could do. Stony was a stranger and -yet, somehow, he moved us all deeply." - -"I got a queer feeling about him," War added, staring at his plate. - -"What kind of feeling?" Ken asked. - -"It's hard to explain." War groped for words. "It's as if his ghost were -here--sort o' nudging us on--saying we should follow the lead he gave -us." - -No one laughed. - -Finally, Mr. Livingston said, "If we hear from Craig Warner, and Elks -Creek isn't too many miles out of our way, we could deliver the map." - -This thought at once caused the Explorers to become more cheerful. - -"About going on to Buckhorn--" War began, but Mr. Livingston shook his -head. - -"It's a matter of time and money, Warwick. After all, we've had our -vacation." - -"And a dandy one it was!" announced Jack, beginning to gather up the -cups. "I'm not going to grieve over Old Stony's hidden gold. Quit your -coaxing, War, and get those dishes done!" - -Shortly after 2 P. M., as the Scouts restlessly idled about camp, they -saw Jarrett Walz drive up. From the way he slammed the door as he went -into the motel office, they judged he was in a bad mood. This was made -even more evident a few minutes later when he tramped down the road to -ask them if they had decided when they would leave Rocking Horse. - -"Tomorrow some time, probably," Mr. Livingston told him. - -"Our town seems to have quite an attraction for you." - -"Not exactly." - -"You're certainly taking a deep interest in Stony's unfortunate -affairs," the motel owner went on, scowling. "I heard about that -telegram you sent to Craig Warner." - -"Oh! News travels fast in Rocking Horse." - -"It does. I might say you seem to be assuming responsibilities. Some -might have a less polite name for it." - -"Meaning?" - -"Ever since you hit this town, you've been sticking your nose into -affairs that don't concern you." - -"Sorry if it seems that way to you," Mr. Livingston said with a shrug. - -"Why did you send a wire to Craig Warner?" - -"To notify him of Old Stony's death." - -"That wasn't your sole reason." - -"You have all the answers," Mr. Livingston replied, finding it hard to -keep his temper. "Why bother to ask any questions?" - -"Because I strongly suspect Old Stony told you something you're hiding -from me." - -Mr. Livingston made up his mind to end the unpleasant conversation. - -"We promised Stony we would get in touch with the son of his old -partner. That's why we sent the telegram. Tomorrow we'll be away from -here, and you can handle affairs as you see fit." - -The reply obviously did not satisfy Jarrett Walz but, apparently -realizing his tactics would get him nowhere, he went away. - -For the Scouts it was a long, boring day. With nothing to do, the hours -dragged. All began to look forward to the morrow when they would take to -the road once more. Twice Mr. Livingston and Ken drove to the telegraph -office to inquire if an answer had been received to the wire. No word -had come. - -"Craig Warner may not exist except in Old Stony's mind," the Scout -leader observed upon his return to camp at dusk, "or he may have moved -to another community." - -"What'll we do about the map?" Willie asked in a troubled voice. - -"If there's no reply by morning, I think the best thing to do is send it -by registered mail," the Scout adviser decided. - -The warm night closed in somewhat cloudy. After supper, the Scouts sat -for a while about the camp fire, cracking a few jokes and trying to -shake themselves into a more cheerful mood. Old Stony's death hung over -them, and they could not seem to get him out of their thoughts. It was -depressing to look at his darkened cabin. - -"I'll be glad to leave in the morning," Jack said, preparing to turn in -for the night. "Up at crack of dawn, you guys!" - -The fire burned out, and the camp quieted. Jack, with the health of -youth, slept soundly. Now and then he aroused briefly as cars drove into -the motel section of the parking lot, but quickly he dozed off again. - -Then suddenly he was awake once more. For a second, he could not imagine -what had aroused him. But as he lay still, listening, he distinctly -heard the crackle of a twig. - -He crept to the door of the shelter, peering out. - -The night was very dark but, even without switching on a flashlight, he -could see a man moving stealthily toward the Scout automobile parked -beyond the picnic tables. - -As Jack watched in growing anger, the fellow deliberately tested the car -doors to see if they were locked. - - - - - Chapter 8 - WALZ' PROPOSITION - - -The tall fellow, who crouched by the car, picked up a rock. Guessing -that he meant to smash the door handle, Jack let out a wild yell. - -"Get away from there, you!" - -The man dropped the rock. Startled, he whirled and ran for the trees. -Jack took after him, but he did not have on his shoes. The rocks and -stones slashed his feet and impeded him. - -The intruder, amazingly fast in retreat, vanished behind the motel -buildings. Losing sight of him, Jack finally limped back to camp. - -"Hey, what's the idea?" Willie greeted him. "You made more noise than a -tribe of Indians!" - -"Lucky I did, too!" - -All the Scouts and Mr. Livingston were awake by now. They pressed Jack -for an explanation. - -Recovering breath, he said in disgust: "I let him get away." - -"Who got away?" Mr. Livingston demanded. - -"That's what I don't know. Someone was trying to break into the sedan." - -Mr. Livingston went over to try the car doors. All remained locked. - -"I yelled and scared him away before he managed to break the handle," -Jack went on. "You know--he looked a lot like that fellow we saw -streaking away from Stony's cabin last night." - -"The attacker?" Willie interposed. "S-a-y, maybe it was the same guy!" - -"And maybe it's lucky we weren't slugged in our sleep!" War added. - -"He acted as if his main objective was the car." - -"Nothing in there except some of our unpacked luggage," Mr. Livingston -said thoughtfully. "He could have been after the car." - -"Or something he believed might be hidden or locked up there," Jack -suggested. - -"The map!" exclaimed Ken. - -"That's how it struck me," Jack nodded. "I'm glad we hid it under the -tent flap. Let's hope it's still there." - -"It has to be," Ken returned. "I've been in camp every minute since you -hid it." - -Nevertheless, to reassure themselves, the Scouts peered beneath the -flap. When folded back, it served as an open doorway. When lowered, it -provided a curtain across the front opening. - -"Still here," Jack said in relief. - -"Maybe that guy wasn't after it at all," Ken said doubtfully. "Who would -know we have the map?" - -"Jarrett Walz, for one," piped up Willie. - -"Can't picture him coming to our camp at night," Ken said. "Did it look -like Walz, Jack?" - -"Not especially. I didn't get a glimpse of anything but his back. He lit -out like a house afire." - -"Well, boys, he's gone," Mr. Livingston said, yawning. "We may have a -rough day tomorrow. So I suggest we try to get a little more sleep -before dawn." - -Once more the Scouts settled down. Throughout the remainder of the -night, the only disturbing sound was the rumble of traffic past the -motel office. - -Jack was up with the sun. He and Willie were starting to prepare -breakfast, when they heard the crunch of gravel. Looking around, they -saw Mr. Walz approaching the camp. - -"Trouble," Willie muttered. - -However, he was wrong. The motel owner seemed to be in a most pleasant -mood. In fact, he carried a covered dish. - -"Good morning, boys," he greeted them. "My wife sent over these hot -biscuits. We thought you'd like a taste of home cooking for a change." - -Willie opened his jaws to let fall a stinging comment. Then he closed -his lips firmly and kept his thoughts to himself. - -"Thanks," Jack said. "Biscuits will go fine with our bacon and eggs." - -"My wife sent some jam, too. Nothing like a good breakfast before you -hit the road." - -Jack and Willie exchanged a quick glance. They figured they knew the -reason behind the motel owner's unexpected generosity. He was eager to -speed them on their way! - -"Is your leader anywhere around?" Walz inquired, after he had set the -pan down on a stump near the camp fire. - -Just then Mr. Livingston came out of the tent carrying his shaving -equipment. - -"Good morning, good morning," Mr. Walz cried heartily. "I hope you had a -good night's rest." - -"Not especially. Someone tried to break into our car." - -"You don't say!" - -With a show of concern, Mr. Walz asked for details. - -"Y' know," the motel owner said, after they had explained, "now that -Stony is gone, I'll have to hire someone--a more active man--to guard -these grounds at night." - -"You've had trouble before?" the Scout leader inquired. - -"No, not until night before last. I was told, though, that a -suspicious-looking character was seen loitering around here yesterday -while I was away." - -"You didn't mention it to us last night." - -"Didn't want to alarm you. It may be he's the same fellow who got into -poor Old Stony's cabin." - -"You've notified the police, I suppose?" - -"Well, no," Mr. Walz admitted, avoiding the Scout leader's direct gaze. -"I didn't have enough evidence to go on." - -"Besides, you thought Stony's attacker blew town yesterday. Remember?" - -"Yes, that's so," the motel man agreed with a self-conscious laugh. - -By this time, the Scouts had no faith in Walz' word, and he seemed to be -aware of the unfavorable impression he had created. - -"I've been very upset about the attack on Stony," he went on. "And all -the talk about his gold and a treasure map worries me, too." - -"Why should that worry you?" Ken drawled. - -"As I said before, I seriously doubt there is any gold--" - -"There's a place he calls Headless Hollow--" War exclaimed, and then -faltered. - -"Headless Hollow," Mr. Walz repeated softly. "So he did tell you about -that place in the Colorado Rockies? And he gave you the map too!" - -"Stony wasn't taking anything with him when he went to the hospital," -Jack reminded the motel owner. "As I recall, you were the first to go -through his things." - -"And you were close on my heels!" Walz brought himself up short. -"However, I didn't come here to quarrel. I know you have the map and, as -a gentleman, I request that you show it to me." - -Had Walz made his request in this manner the previous day, the Scouts -would have allowed him to inspect the paper they had found. Now, -distrusting his motives, they were unwilling to produce the map. - -"Well?" he demanded impatiently. - -"Sorry," Mr. Livingston replied. "I'll admit we do have a piece of paper -Stony left. But it must be delivered to Craig Warner." - -"So that's why you sent him a telegram yesterday?" - -"It is." - -For a minute, the Scouts thought Jarrett Walz would storm and object. He -seemed to gain control of himself only after an inward struggle. When he -spoke, his voice was friendly, cheerful. - -"I've told you how I took care of Stony for years--gave him a job, -clothing, food--everything. Ask anyone in Rocking Horse if it isn't -true." - -"We don't doubt it," Mr. Livingston returned. - -"Believe me, I have no desire for personal gain," Walz resumed. "I do -feel that if Stony left any money or a rich claim, I should be entitled -to repayment for a portion of what I've put out in his behalf." - -"That seems fair enough," the Scout leader agreed. - -"Stony told me dozens of times he intended me to have everything he -owned. At the very end, he turned against me--only because his mind was -failing. He began to think of Craig Warner--a man he never saw in his -lifetime, so far as I know." - -"That probably is so," Mr. Livingston conceded. - -"Now I'm willing enough the map should go to Craig Warner, if that was -Stony's last wish. But who knows where Warner is?" - -"We've had no luck in getting in touch with him so far," the Scout -leader admitted. - -"Exactly. Suppose you never find him? Then what becomes of the map?" - -Mr. Livingston replied that he had given no thought to that possibility. - -"It seems to me," Walz said, speaking slowly, "that if you fail to find -Warner, the map ought to be turned over to me." - -"Your request is a reasonable one." - -"I thought you'd see it my way," Walz said in relief. "Then it's -settled. Turn the map over to me, and I'll do my best to find Warner. If -I don't find him, I'll keep it." - -"Hold on!" Mr. Livingston said, smiling broadly. "We made a promise to -Stony, and we shall do all we can to find Craig Warner ourselves." - -"You mean you don't trust me." - -"It's not that," the Scout leader replied. "We just feel we owe it to -Stony to deliver the map ourselves." - -"And if you fail?" - -"Then there may be no reason why you shouldn't have it. The Scouts, I -assure you, have no intention of going on a wild gold chase." - -When it became clear to the motel owner that he could not move Mr. -Livingston, he asked, "Then how do you plan to deliver the map?" - -"The safest way would be to take it to Elks Creek--if there is such a -place." - -"Elks Creek is a real place, all right," Walz informed him, "but it's an -out-of-the way cow town off the main highway. I could take you there, -only my car is out of commission." - -The Scouts waited, wondering what the motel owner had in mind. It was -obvious that he was leading up to something. - -"This is my proposition," Walz said. "Elks Creek isn't any more than -seventy-five or one hundred miles out of your way, if you're traveling -east. Take me along, and I'll pay the entire cost of the trip from here -to Craig Warner's place." - -Despite themselves, the Scouts were rather amazed at the generous offer. - -"There's just one little string attached to my offer," the motel owner -added. "If we fail to find Craig Warner, then I'll expect you to hand -over the map." - - - - - Chapter 9 - SHORT CUT - - -"Well, how about it?" Jarrett Walz asked impatiently, as the Scouts -stood mute. "My proposition is a fair one." - -"Yes, it is," Mr. Livingston acknowledged. - -"Then why hesitate? Are you afraid to team up with me?" - -"No, we're not afraid, Mr. Walz." - -"You don't think I'm trying to outwit you?" - -"We're taken by surprise," Mr. Livingston replied. "You offer to pay all -the expenses of the trip?" - -"I do. That is, from here to Elks Creek. Meals. Overnight lodging, if we -have to hole up in Colorado." - -"What can you hope to gain from such an arrangement?" Hap went on. - -"Nothing, probably. The chances are we'll find Craig Warner and turn the -map over to him. But if no such person exists, the map will be mine." - -"And you rate the map so highly?" - -Walz began to feel hemmed in by his own conflicting statements. He -hesitated, then said, "I want that map. Maybe I misled you at first -because I didn't know anything about you or your motives. But there's an -outside chance Stony's map may have some value." - -The Scouts were far more inclined to trust the motel owner now that he -made a frank admission of his interest in the paper. - -"Well, what do you say?" he prodded. - -"We'll have to think it over," Mr. Livingston stalled. - -"How long will you need?" - -"We figured on going to the telegraph office again before we pull -out--and to the funeral." - -"I'll meet you here at eleven o'clock," Walz suggested. "By that time, I -must have your answer." - -"You'll have it," Mr. Livingston promised. "If we should accept, how -soon could you be ready to leave?" - -"In ten minutes. All I need to do is toss a few things into a suitcase." - -"We'll see you at eleven o'clock," Mr. Livingston replied. - -Over breakfast, the Scouts discussed the matter, finding it difficult to -reach a decision. They still distrusted Jarrett Walz. On the other hand, -it seemed selfish to deny him a ride to Elks Creek when his own car was -not in good running order. - -"And he's offered to pay all expenses," War reminded the group as he -reached for a second biscuit. "That's quite an item." - -"I'm for taking him up," said Willie. "We'd get back to Belton City with -cash in our treasury." - -Mr. Livingston gazed at Jack and Ken, waiting to hear their opinions. - -"I don't know," Jack admitted frankly. "On the surface it looks okay, -but--" - -"I feel the same," said Ken. "Before making a decision, why not inquire -in town as to Walz' reputation?" - -"A good suggestion," the Scout adviser answered. "We'll do it on our -trip to the telegraph station." - -After breakfast, the Scouts struck camp, packing everything into the car -and transferring the map to Mr. Livingston's billfold for safekeeping. -As they started to pull out of the parking yard, Mr. Walz came rushing -out of the motel. - -"Don't worry, we aren't leaving for good," Mr. Livingston reassured him. -"We'll see you at eleven o'clock as we promised." - -At the telegraph office, the Scouts were told that no answer had been -received to their telegram. Then they stopped at the post office and the -bank. While the Scouts were mailing cards home, Mr. Livingston made a -few inquiries about Mr. Walz. The information he received was not very -helpful. However, the motel owner seemed to be well regarded in the -community. - -"So far as I can gather, this is the picture," Mr. Livingston told the -Explorers. "Walz did give Stony a home when the old fellow wasn't able -to do much work. He's considered a hard driver but fair. Stony wasn't -too grateful for what he received." - -"Maybe we misjudged Walz," Jack said thoughtfully. "Well, what's our -decision?" - -"How can we lose by taking him up?" Willie argued. "I'm for it." - -The others offered no objection, so it was decided that Walz' -proposition should be accepted. - -"Just a word of warning," Mr. Livingston advised. "Walz knows we have -the map. Let's not tell him who has it, or give him any detail of what -it shows." - -"If I know him, he'll try to pry it out of us," War chuckled. "But my -lips are sealed." - -The Scouts attended Stony's funeral along with a few townspeople, and -Walz was not present. When they drove back to the motel, he was waiting -for them. - -"My suitcase is packed," he announced. "Ready?" - -"You're taking our acceptance for granted?" Mr. Livingston remarked -dryly. - -"Figured you wouldn't turn it down," the motel owner said with a grin. -"Where do I ride?" - -Willie slid out of the front seat to make room for him and crowded into -the back with War and Jack. - -"If you want, I can take the wheel," Walz offered, once his suitcase had -been stowed away. "I know this road like a book." - -"I'll drive," Mr. Livingston said, "but thanks." - -The Explorers had decided to be cordial to Walz, and therefore they kept -up a polite conversation. The motel owner was in a good mood and -seemingly had an endless stock of stories to relate. At first the Scouts -did not mind, but after an hour or so they began to weary of his -chatter. - -When the car made its first stop at a filling station to get gas, true -to his bargain Walz paid the bill. - -"Maybe he'll be okay, after all," Willie remarked to Jack as they -checked the tires before driving on. - -"Maybe," Jack agreed. "Time will tell." - -Once the party was well beyond the Colorado border, Walz began to -suggest short-cut roads which he said would greatly reduce the mileage. -Feeling that the motel owner knew the country, Mr. Livingston and the -Explorers accepted his advice. But as the roads became increasingly -poor, they wondered if they actually were saving any time. Late in the -afternoon, when they were confronted with a choice of highways, Mr. -Livingston stopped the car so as to study the road map. - -"No. 416 will take us directly into Elks Creek," Hap said. "With luck, -we ought to get there before dark." - -With his forefinger, Walz traced another route. "It's 40 miles shorter -this way," he pointed out. - -"Your short cuts haven't worked out so far," the Scout leader objected. - -"But I know this country," said Walz. "This road is paved all the way." - -"All right, if you're sure," Mr. Livingston said, "but I don't like the -look of the sky." - -Black, fast-moving clouds were swirling over the distant mountain peaks. - -"Oh, it may rain a little," Walz replied carelessly. "All the more -reason for taking the shorter road that's paved." - -The highway he had insisted on taking ran for a while through desolate -territory, and they didn't meet any other cars. There were no houses or -filling stations, and the only persons they saw along the road were -occasional Indians. However, the highway was paved, as Walz had said. -Instead of having bridges, the road dipped down through dry creek beds. - -Jack called attention to a sign which read: "Notice to Motorists: Do not -attempt to cross if creek is running more than six inches deep." - -"Sometimes these creeks come up fast," Walz explained carelessly. "The -mountains feed the streams at a terrific rate, especially if there's -been a heavy downpour above." - -"Cheerful thought," commented Ken, studying the clouds again. - -"I've read of cars being swept away," Mr. Livingston remarked. "Maybe we -should have taken the other road." - -Walz regarded him scornfully. "Why, the creeks are bone dry." - -"They won't be for long," Mr. Livingston replied. "It's starting to -rain." - -Huge drops splashed the windshield. Faster and faster they came down. -Mr. Livingston suggested pulling up until the rain was over. - -"That may be an hour," Walz rasped. He was looking worried. "This is -coming down like a regular cloudburst. If we don't get through this -area, we'll be trapped maybe for half a day between creeks." - -The Scouts said nothing. They were deeply annoyed, however, that the -motel owner by his stubborn insistence had brought them to this sorry -situation. Mr. Livingston hesitated and then decided to accept Walz' -advice. He drove on. - -Rain was already falling so fast that it became difficult for him to see -the road ahead. - -"This is awful!" the Scout leader gasped. "We ought to stop--" - -"No!" Walz shouted. "Another creek lies ahead. Once we get through that, -we'll be all right." - -"How far?" - -"Only a mile or two." - -With a worried shake of his head, Mr. Livingston kept on. Rain fell in a -deluge, threatening to damp out the car motor. - -"The creek is just ahead," Walz encouraged him. - -"How deep is the water running?" the Scout leader demanded. - -Water sprayed the windshield and he could not make out even the drop-off -of the pavement into the depression. - -"It'll be okay," Walz assured him. "The rain hasn't been falling long. -Keep on." - -Mr. Livingston obeyed and immediately regretted it. The moment the car -rolled down into the creek bed, he saw that the water was far higher -than he had imagined. It swirled angrily around the tires and kept -creeping higher. Too late, Mr. Livingston saw he could not back out. - -"Jeepers!" Walz exclaimed. "The rain must have started earlier in the -mountains! Keep going, man! Keep going!" - -Mr. Livingston was doing his best, but the motor sputtered and died. - -The car rolled a few feet farther and stopped in the lowest point of the -raging torrent. - - - - - Chapter 10 - TRICKERY - - -"We're in it now!" Walz shrieked, staring in horror at the fast-rising -water. "The car will be swept away!" - -Mr. Livingston tried desperately to get the motor started. - -"You should have seen the water was too deep for a crossing!" Walz -whimpered. "It's rising so fast you can see it!" - -Ken, who was riding in the center of the front seat, shoved past the -motel owner and got out of the car. Jack, Willie and War, in the back -seat, followed suit. The water was up to their knees and rising -unbelievably fast. - -"Altogether, push!" Jack ordered. - -The four applied their shoulders and shoved. The car moved ahead through -the swirling, raging water, but could not make the steep incline. Back -it rolled. - -"Again!" Jack urged. - -Walz did not offer to help, though he must have known that his strength -was vitally needed in this desperate race against time. - -"We'll never get 'er out," Willie muttered in despair. - -Once more the Scouts heaved, and again the car began to roll. This time, -as the uphill grade became too much of a barrier, Mr. Livingston helped -move the car on the battery. Inch by inch it crept up the sloping bank -to the higher road above. - -War made a last powerful shove, lost his balance, and sprawled in the -torrent. Jack grabbed him, and they all splashed out of the stream. Wet -and bedraggled, they climbed back into the car to consider their plight. - -"I suspect the spark plug is damp," Mr. Livingston said, getting out a -handkerchief with which to wipe it. "The engine stalled even before we -hit the deep water." - -Despite protests from the Scouts, he took his turn in the rain. Walz, -however, made no offer to help. Scowling, he sat huddled in the steamy -car. - -After twenty minutes of fussing with the spark plug, the Scout leader -managed to get the engine started again. By that time, the rain had -slackened considerably. - -"Any more creek beds ahead?" Mr. Livingston asked Walz as the car crept -forward once more. - -"No," Walz snapped. "I suppose you're blaming me for what happened?" - -"I didn't hear anyone making any complaints," the Scout leader replied. -"An accident is an accident." - -"Well, it wasn't my fault. How was I to know there had been a cloudburst -up in the mountains?" - -"It's always a wise precaution--" Mr. Livingston started to say and then -cut himself off. He finished: "Well, we're lucky we didn't lose the car, -or at least damage it. The rain has almost stopped, too." - -In their wet clothes and shoes the Scouts were rather uncomfortable. At -the first filling station, thirty miles farther on, they stopped, -unpacked the luggage, and changed into dry clothing. - -Walz fretted at the delay. - -"It will be after dark before we get to Elks Creek," he complained. - -"Sorry," Jack replied shortly. "Sometimes the shortest road is the -longest way to a destination." - -"Real philosophical, aren't you?" Walz asked, his lips curling. - -To Jack, it was plain that the motel owner found it hard to hold his -temper in check. Obviously he had no liking for the Scouts or Mr. -Livingston and tolerated their company only to gain his objective. As -for the Explorers, they now had even less respect for Walz than they had -had before. His judgment, they thought, had been proven faulty. He was -sullen, selfish, and, in addition, he had a cowardly streak. - -After the rain, night came on fast. The Scouts would have preferred to -camp, but Walz kept insisting that they push on to Elks Creek. Actually, -it was 9:25 P.M. when the car finally pulled into that little -mountainside hamlet. There was no suitable camp site, and for once the -wearied Scouts had no enthusiasm about finding one. - -Mr. Livingston suggested that they all spend the night at the town's -only hotel, an unimposing wooden structure. - -"At my expense, naturally," Mr. Walz said sarcastically. - -The Scout leader shot him a quizzical look. "It was your proposition--" - -"Yes, it was! Well, I'm not kicking. Not if you keep your end of the -bargain. If we fail to find Craig Warner, you turn the map over to me." - -"Yes, if we're convinced he can't possibly be found." - -"It's too late tonight to try to find Red Cliffs Ranch," Walz went on. -"We'll register at this dump of a hotel. While you're getting some -supper, I'll make a few inquiries." - -The Scouts took rooms, cleaned themselves up a bit, and joined Mr. -Livingston in the dining room. A silent, shy waitress served them an -excellent meal consisting of steak, potatoes, and fresh peas. For -dessert came large cuts of juicy apple pie with big wedges of cheese. - -"Say, this is real food!" Willie said with relish. "A mighty welcome -change from that eternal stew Jack is always feeding us." - -"Just for that, you'll get beans next time!" Jack retorted -good-naturedly. "Such gratitude!" - -"The best part of this meal is that it's free," War chortled. - -"I hope so," responded Mr. Livingston as he signed the check with Walz' -name. "But sometimes things don't work out as we expect." - -"Meaning Walz is likely to welch on the deal?" - -"Not if he gets what he wants, War." - -"And if he doesn't?" - -"Well, in that case, we may see fireworks. I have a hunch--" - -Mr. Livingston left his remark unfinished, for Jack flashed him a -warning glance. Jarrett Walz had just come into the dining room. -Crossing over to the Scouts' table, he sat down. - -"Well, friends," he began, "I've made a few inquiries. The outcome is -just about what I expected." - -"Craig Warner doesn't live here?" Ken asked quickly. - -"He did live here years ago. Then he moved north. Three years ago, he -died of pneumonia." - -"Craig Warner's dead?" War echoed flatly. - -"Yes. It's disappointing but, frankly, I expected it." - -"You expected it?" Jack asked. - -"I mean, it's no more than I expected. Stony probably hadn't written to -Warner in six or eight years." - -"It seems our trip here is without purpose," Mr. Livingston observed, -looking down at his plate. "I admit I am disappointed." - -"I'll be starting back to Rocking Horse early tomorrow morning," Walz -said briskly. "I can catch a train at nine o'clock. You boys will -probably want to get an early start east, so the best thing would be to -give it to me now." - -"The map?" Mr. Livingston asked. - -"Naturally. That was the agreement." - -"Why are you sure Craig Warner is dead?" the Scout leader demanded. - -"A dozen people told me so." - -"Can you give me their names?" - -"You doubt my word?" - -"No, but in a matter such as this, we can't afford to make a mistake." - -"I don't recall to whom I talked," Walz said with a scowl. "But the dope -was straight. Warner is dead. I've kept my agreement. Now I want that -map." - -"See us in the morning at breakfast," Mr. Livingston said suavely. - -"I told you I have to take an early train." - -"We'll be up before seven o'clock," Mr. Livingston promised him. "Meet -us here at seven thirty. Okay?" - -Walz started to argue, then suddenly changed his mind. - -"All right," he agreed. "Breakfast at seven thirty. Get a good sleep. -You still have a long ride before you." - -In leaving the dining room, the Scouts casually inquired of the hotel -owner if he knew anyone by the name of Craig Warner. - -"Never heard of him," he replied. - -Once the Scouts were in Mr. Livingston's room, they discussed turning -the map over to the motel owner. - -"I may have to do it in the morning," Mr. Livingston said reluctantly, -"but, somehow, his information doesn't satisfy me." - -"Why not do a little checking of our own?" Jack proposed. - -The idea appealed to the others. It was decided, though, that Walz might -become resentful if he saw the entire crew leaving the hotel. So Jack -and Ken were assigned to tour the town to see what they could learn. - -The two were away from the hotel more than an hour. When finally they -returned, they fairly burst into the Scout leader's room where the -others had gathered. - -"What did you find out?" War demanded, getting up from the bed where he -had been sprawling. - -"Plenty!" Jack announced. - -"We talked to three people," Ken said. "The first two had never heard of -Craig Warner. Then we ran into an old-timer, a rancher who has lived in -this country most of his life." - -"What did he say?" Willie asked impatiently. - -"Craig Warner is very much alive," Jack announced. "In fact, he lives -less than forty miles from here--not at Red Cliffs Ranch, though. -Another place." - -"Then Walz lied!" - -"Ken and I think so," Jack said soberly. "He's made up his mind to get -that map at any cost. And it's up to us to prevent him!" - - - - - Chapter 11 - CLOUD CREST RANCH - - -Jarrett Walz was waiting in the hotel dining room when the Explorers -entered promptly at seven thirty the next morning. - -"Well, right on time, I see," he greeted them jovially. "You brought the -map?" - -Mr. Livingston did not reply. He and the Scouts seated themselves at the -circular, old-fashioned table and ordered breakfast. The motel owner -could not conceal his impatience. - -"You brought the map?" he repeated as soon as the waitress went away. - -"As for turning it over to you," Mr. Livingston replied, "we have a -different plan." - -Walz' bushy eyebrows jerked up in surprise. "What d'you mean, a -different plan?" he growled. - -"Craig Warner happens to be alive." - -"What?" - -"We checked your information last night, Mr. Walz. I'm afraid you -obtained it from unreliable sources." - -A flush slowly overspread the motel owner's face. - -"Craig Warner isn't dead?" he stammered. - -"No. He is operating a ranch less than forty miles from here." - -"A place called Cloud Crest," supplied Jack, enjoying Walz' -discomfiture. - -"I--I'm mighty glad to hear it," the motel owner muttered. - -"We've made further inquiry," Mr. Livingston resumed. "Cloud Crest is -off the main road in a rather inaccessible place. In dry weather, -however, it can be reached by car. Fortunately, yesterday's downpour -missed this area." - -"Warner hasn't been to town in a month," Ken added. "That's why he never -replied to our telegram. It's waiting here, if he ever shows up." - -Walz sat for a long moment, staring at the tablecloth. The waitress -brought pancakes and hot sausages, but he scarcely touched his food. The -Scouts, on the other hand, ate heartily. - -When they had finished, Walz said, "You'll be starting on East now, I -suppose?" - -"Not until we've delivered the map," the Scout leader answered. - -"It will be at least eighty miles out of your way, counting the return -trip," the motel owner pointed out. "You'll have to figure on killing an -entire day." - -"I suppose so," Mr. Livingston admitted. - -"I'll tell you what! I can save you that trip. Let me have the map, and -I'll see that Craig Warner gets it." - -Mr. Livingston shook his head. "We'd prefer to deliver it ourselves." - -"You don't trust me?" - -"We made Old Stony a promise, that's all." - -"You've become very devoted to his memory, haven't you?" Walz asked with -a slight sneer. "You think I deceived you?" - -"Did we make any such accusation?" - -"Oh, I can tell by the way you act! I've paid your expenses. I've been -open and above board in all my dealings. You've done nothing in return." - -"We've kept our agreement, Mr. Walz." - -"At least let me see that map." - -"We're turning it over to Mr. Warner," the Scout leader said patiently. -"After he gets it, if he wants to he can show it to you or do whatever -he pleases. Until then--no." - -Walz suddenly got to his feet, pushing back his chair. - -"Okay," he rasped. "I'm through paying your bills. Settle your own hotel -account. I'm finished with you!" - -He strode from the dining room. - -"Good riddance," grinned Willie. "We never should have teamed up with -him. Wonder how much we owe here?" - -"Enough," Mr. Livingston said, a bit grimly. "We can handle it, though. -I half figured on a deal such as this." - -Hurriedly, the Scouts finished breakfast and gathered together their -belongings. Jack obtained detailed instructions for reaching Cloud Crest -Ranch. Mr. Livingston settled the hotel bill, which was not so high as -he had expected, and they drove out of Elks Creek without seeing Walz -again. - -"We're finished with him," War said cheerfully, settling down for a long -ride over a rutty road. "What did you learn about Warner, Jack?" - -"Not much. They say he's an able rancher but has had a run of hard -luck." - -"The fellow we talked to said he's a square shooter," Ken contributed. -"Peculiar, though--the lone-wolf type. His exact words were: 'If Warner -likes you, he'll give you the shirt off his back. If he doesn't, watch -out! He judges a man fast, and once an opinion is formed, he doesn't -change his mind.'" - -"Let's hope he takes a liking to us," Mr. Livingston remarked. "Not that -it matters. We'll give him the map and be on our way." - -The car made slow time on the winding dirt road. However, the way was -scenic, if dusty. Rugged, snow-tipped mountains rimmed the valley. Their -high peaks were circled with lazy, fleecy clouds. - -The hot sun was high overhead when the car wound along a stream of -fast-running water and emerged into a clearing. - -A short distance ahead the Scouts saw a long log cabin, a barn, and a -fenced area. - -"Cloud Crest Ranch," Jack read on the gatepost. - -He jumped out to unbar the gate so that the car could pass through. -Carefully, he closed it again before they drove on to the ranch house. - -The car's approach was evidently noted from the building for, as the -Scouts alighted in front of the ranch building, a man who was nearly six -feet tall, lean and muscular, came out the door. - -At first glance they took him to be in his thirties, but as he came -closer they saw the shock of gray hair and the lines on his face which -made him seem to be in his fifties. - -"Howdy." - -The rancher was soft spoken, and he looked straight at the Scouts as he -greeted them. He wore a red shirt and brown riding breeches. - -"Craig Warner?" Mr. Livingston inquired. - -"I am." - -Mr. Livingston gave his name and introduced the Explorers. Since the -rancher did not invite them into the house, Mr. Livingston decided to -make the visit brief. - -Going straight to the point, he told Mr. Warner of Old Stony's death and -his request that the map to the Headless Hollow region be delivered to -him. - -"Well!" Warner exclaimed. "You know, I never could figure out why that -old fellow kept writing to me!" - -"You never knew that he was your father's partner?" Mr. Livingston -asked. - -"No. I was just a kid when my father went off into the mountains -prospecting, and he never came back." - -"Stony didn't tell you his connection with your father?" - -The rancher shook his head. "No. I answered only one of his letters, I -think. I couldn't see any sense in writing a stranger, so I let the -correspondence lapse. Stony, as you call him, never mentioned my father, -except to say he had known him. But he did let on he owed me a great -debt. I never could figure that out." - -"He sent you a map," Mr. Livingston said. "A chart to an area where he -claims there is a cache of gold. He called it Headless Hollow." - -"Have you heard of it?" Jack asked, noticing the startled expression of -the rancher's face. - -"Well, yes. Not by that name. But it must be the same isolated valley -where my father lost his life--and the same area where Joe Hansart -disappeared." - -"Another prospector?" Ken inquired. - -"Joe disappeared six or seven years ago. He set off into the canyons and -never came back. It's a bad locality." - -Warner seemed suddenly to remember his manners. - -"Come into the house," he invited them. "We'll have a spot of coffee and -give that map the once-over." - - - - - Chapter 12 - AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR - - -"See that jagged peak with the patch of snow almost at its tip? Right -below is stunted timber land. Well, that's Crazy Mountain. I figure -Headless Hollow is somewhere in there behind those tumbles of rock." - -Craig Warner stood at the cabin window, pointing toward the distant -horizon. Over mugs of strong, steaming coffee, the Scouts had studied -Old Stony's map with their rancher host. Somewhat to their surprise, -Warner had seemed impressed by the crudely drawn paper as he compared it -with a contour map of the mountain area. - -"Y' know," he confessed, his grin boyish, "I've always had a hankering -to find out what's behind those barriers. Here I've lived fairly close -to the place for years, and I never attempted it." - -"Well, you have a map now," Mr. Livingston said. "A motive, shall we -say? So perhaps you'll decide to search for your fortune." - -The rancher laughed and shook his head. "I know better than to place -faith in tales of hidden gold. The last great strike in this state was -at Cripple Creek, just behind Pikes Peak. That district had been passed -up for years because prospectors said it lacked the usual signs." - -"Headless Hollow may be the same," Jack said. - -"Afraid not." Warner placed the map in a drawer of the living-room desk. -"But the area might offer uranium possibilities." - -"Has no one ever been there?" Ken asked. "Recently, I mean?" - -"Folks hereabouts are too busy to risk their necks on crazy climbs. -Besides, as I told you, the area has a bad reputation." - -"You said something about a prospector disappearing there," Warwick -reminded him. - -"That was Joe Hansart. He was a strange character--one of the real -old-timers--always asking folks to grubstake him. He'd disappear for -months at a time. Always broke when he showed up again. Well, he became -obsessed with the idea there was gold somewhere on Crazy Mountain. About -seven years ago, I think it was, he packed out of here, heading that -way, and was never seen again." - -"Maybe he fell off a cliff," Ken observed. - -"The Headless Hollow locality has plenty of hazards. Something happened -to him, that's sure." - -"Could he have stayed on there alone year after year?" Jack asked -thoughtfully. - -"I don't see how, but there's a small lake where a man could fish, and -if he had ammunition he could provide himself with meat. But the winters -are bitterly cold. No, I don't figure even a tough old knot like Joe -Hansart could have made out. He must be dead. The question is, how did -he die?" - -"That seems to trouble you," Mr. Livingston said. "Friend of yours?" - -"Never set eyes on Joe except once or twice. It's the stories about -Headless Hollow that bother me." - -"Stories?" - -"It began years ago," the rancher said, lighting his pipe. "I suppose my -father's death and Stony's disappearance marked the beginning." - -"Was it known they were supposed to have struck gold?" - -"Well, you can't keep such things completely dark," Warner replied with -a smile. "I was a boy at the time, so all I know is hearsay. At first, -feeling was high against Stony, because people thought he was -responsible for my father's death. My mother never shared that feeling. -She always said the man was falsely accused--that it must have been an -accident. But you know how folks are--they always want to blame someone. -Stony could have cleared himself, but he ran away, and that made it look -bad." - -"You think Stony shot your father by accident?" Ken questioned. - -"Either that, or it was an Indian bullet, as Stony claimed." - -"Do Indians live in the hollow?" - -"No. The area is uninhabited, as far as I know. Folks deliberately avoid -that section of the mountain. Prospectors who have tried to go there in -recent years--well, they just seem to have bad luck." - -"You're referring to Joe Hansart's disappearance?" Mr. Livingston -remarked. - -"There have been other things, too," the rancher admitted reluctantly. -"A couple of ambitious young rock climbers thought they would tackle -Crazy Mountain two years ago. One of 'em had a bad fall." - -"That could happen to anyone." - -"True. But this kid claimed someone above him started an avalanche. No -one hereabouts put any stock in it--but it did serve to stir up rumors -again." - -"Rumors?" - -"Oh, I'm not superstitious, and I know you folks aren't, either. The -tale is that the Spirit of Crazy Mountain guards the place." - -"Folks who go there always have trouble?" Jack asked, grinning. - -"Yeah. As I said, it's a wild area--no place for amateur climbers." - -"Odd you've never gone there yourself," Mr. Livingston said, eying the -rancher thoughtfully. - -"I've often wanted to," Warner confessed, "especially when I was younger -and my legs were in better condition." - -"You seem in pretty fair shape to me right now," the Scout leader -replied. - -"Oh, I try to keep fit." Warner abruptly got up and walked to the window -again. Staring toward the faraway mountains, he said: "I'd have tried to -find that valley years ago, but I never had the time. Now--" - -"Yes?" Mr. Livingston prodded as the rancher fell into meditative -silence. - -"Well, it's no climb to tackle alone. Frankly, there's no one hereabouts -that I could take with me. Plenty would be eager to go, but they'd be a -hindrance, not a help." - -"We know someone who would be tickled to go," War cut in with a chuckle. - -"Oh?" - -"You won't want to meet him, either," War laughed. - -He then mentioned Jarrett Walz' name and told to what lengths the motel -owner had gone to gain possession of the treasure map. - -"You don't say!" Warner exclaimed, impressed. "If he's so keen on -getting his hands on this map, then it must have some value." - -"He thinks so," said Mr. Livingston. "I would advise you to keep that -bit of paper in a safe place." - -"Oh, no one ever comes here. Not once in a month," the rancher answered. -"You're my first visitors since June. It's a real pleasure having you." - -Warner, the Scouts now knew, lived alone, except for two ranch hands who -looked after the stock. He had no wife or children. - -After chatting a while longer, the Scouts started to leave, but their -host would not hear of it. - -"Stay until tomorrow morning at least," he urged. "I like company, if -it's the right sort." - -The Scouts had enjoyed Craig Warner's companionship, and his invitation -flattered them. When Mr. Livingston left the decision to them, they -voted to remain. - -Warner cooked a hearty lunch for the boys and showed them around Cloud -Crest. Whenever he was out of doors, they noticed, his steel blue eyes -roved naturally to the distant peaks of Crazy Mountain. - -"Y' know," he admitted with a self-conscious laugh, "that map has fired -my imagination! Not in years have I felt so excited!" - -"Gold fever?" Hap Livingston asked with a chuckle. - -"No," the rancher answered soberly. "It's more than that. I've never -seen my father's grave. The tale of gold interests me, but only -incidentally. I want to see this place you call Headless Hollow, because -its mystery lures me." - -"A trip such as that would require careful planning," Mr. Livingston -observed. - -"It would. That's why so many who started for the region met disaster. -Their expeditions were badly organized." - -Again Craig Warner became lost in thought. The Scouts sensed that he was -seriously considering making practical use of the map they had turned -over to him. - -"Y' know, except for one thing, I'd start for Headless Hollow at the -drop of a hat," the rancher suddenly announced, leaning on the rail -fence. "I could get away from here for a week--" - -"What's that one thing holding you up?" Jack asked curiously, though he -thought he could guess the answer. - -"I know better than to go alone." - -"Maybe you won't have to," Jack drawled. - -For a minute, the other Scouts were mystified by his remark. Then, -following his gaze, they saw that a car was coming up the winding dirt -road toward the ranch. It was a rented taxi. - -A lone male passenger sat beside the driver. By this time, the car was -close enough for the Scouts to make out the general outline of the man's -face. - -The visitor was Jarrett Walz. - - - - - Chapter 13 - THIEF IN THE NIGHT - - -The rented car rolled up the lane and halted near the fence where Craig -Warner and the Scouts waited. - -Paying off the driver, Jarrett Walz strode over to the group. He showed -no surprise at seeing Mr. Livingston and the Explorers, nor did he make -any apology for having followed them to the Cloud Crest Ranch. In fact, -he deliberately ignored the Scouts, addressing Craig Warner. - -"You don't know me," he said, offering his hand, "but I'm Jarrett Walz -from Rocking Horse. An old friend of Stony's." - -"Howdy," the rancher responded. His manner was neither friendly nor -unfriendly. - -The motel owner then launched into a glorified account of the manner in -which he had befriended Old Stony. Mr. Livingston and the Scouts let him -run on without interruption. - -Finally, Walz wound up his long-winded monologue by asking Warner if the -Explorers had turned over the Headless Hollow map to him. - -"I have it," the rancher replied. - -"I drove out here to make you a proposition," Walz rattled on. "How -about you and me teaming up for a bit of adventure?" - -"You're proposing we explore the Headless Hollow region?" said Warner. - -"Why not? It's a good time of year--everything's in our favor. Since you -have the map we may find a valuable mine site--or at least a cache of -ore." - -"I don't team up with a man on an hour's notice." - -"I realize I'm a stranger," Walz said, "but if you doubt my character, -send a wire to anyone in Rocking Horse." - -"I don't need testimonials to judge a man," Warner replied dryly. - -"How does the proposal strike you? The quicker we get started, the -better I'd like it." - -Warner did not answer the motel owner's question directly. Instead, he -said, "No one has any business on Crazy Mountain without a good pair of -legs. A trip such as you're proposing would take a heap o' planning. -You'd need supplies--a list made out with care, because every pound you -pack counts. Footwear's important, too." - -"Oh, mere details. I can buy anything I need in an hour's time. The -essential thing is to have a guide who knows the country." - -"You'll not find anyone hereabouts that has ever been to the Headless -Hollow region." - -"You mean the place has never been explored?" Walz demanded. - -"Men have gone there," Warner drawled, "but they don't seem to come -back." - -The remark jarred Walz for a moment. "You're trying to scare me out of -it!" he accused. - -"No," the rancher answered quietly. "Just giving you the facts. I reckon -a good mountain climber who's willing to take punishment could reach the -place, but he'd have to face hazards." - -"Bears? Cougars?" - -"Animals shouldn't give any trouble if a man minds his business." - -"Then what is holding us back?" Walz demanded impatiently. "Are you -afraid of the climb?" - -"It may be tricky finding a pass down into the valley." - -"They told me in town you're one of the best mountaineers in this -section--you and Pete Ranier, the half-breed Indian." - -"Why don't you talk to Pete?" Warner suggested. "He might be induced to -take you to the Headless region--for a price." - -"But he doesn't have the map," Walz growled. "That's why I don't want to -team up with him. Besides, he's a heavy drinker, they tell me--reliable -only when he's sober." - -"You're welcome to stay here tonight," Warner said. "We'll talk some -more. Maybe we can get together." - -"Fine!" the motel owner responded heartily. "I thought you'd see it my -way. You team up with me, and I'll pay all the expenses. If we hit it -lucky, we'll split any way you want." - -The Scouts remained out of doors while Warner showed Walz to a room. - -"I wonder if this isn't our cue to pull out of here?" Mr. Livingston -remarked. "It's not going to be pleasant, now that Walz has come." - -"He'll only try to make us look bad," Jack agreed. - -When Craig Warner came outside alone, the Scouts mentioned leaving, but -he would not hear of it. - -"I couldn't turn Walz away," he said. "As for teaming up with him, I'm -not even considering it. Stick around, boys. Things may get -interesting." - -Whenever the rancher was near, Walz deliberately avoided the Scouts. -Late in the afternoon, however, he ran into Jack and Ken near the -corrals. They would have passed him without a word, if he had not -blocked their way. - -"You've been telling Warner things about me that aren't true!" he -declared. - -Ken and Jack were amused by the accusation. It did not seem deserving of -a reply. - -"Get this!" Walz snapped. "I want that map, and I mean to get it! I'm -warning you not to interfere! If you do--" - -"If we do--what?" - -"You'll find out!" Walz blustered. "I'm fed up with your meddling. Take -my advice and drive on!" - -"We like the scenery," Jack retorted, "so we're staying." - -After the early chores were done, Warner told his visitors he would take -them over to see Tarta Lake. - -"It's only a little hike," he said. "Figured we could tote our grub up -there and cook supper under the stars." - -The Explorers fell in with the plan at once. Walz seemed annoyed, but he -kept his thoughts to himself. - -They set off single file up a gentle slope, Warner leading the way. He -had an easy, fast, smooth stride, which the Scouts deliberately -imitated. Walz kept up at first, then fell to the end of the line. When -the climb became more difficult--rocky and steep--Walz sat down to empty -gravel from his shoes. - -"How much farther?" he puffed. - -"Not more than a mile," the rancher replied. - -The Scouts were all in good condition, and therefore the sharp climb was -no test for their sturdy, muscular legs. Even War, who tired more easily -than his older crew mates, found his breath holding. - -At Tarta Lake Walz collapsed on the grass. He rested while Warner and -the Scouts built a fire and set steaks to broiling. - -The mountains had brought peace and relaxation to the Explorers. Even -their irritation at Walz faded away as they gathered about the glowing -log for an hour of rest and talk. - -Warner, usually quiet, related a variety of stories about the area. -Purposely, however, he avoided mention of Headless Hollow. - -"It's queer about mountains," he said, watching sparks fly up from the -fire. "They have a way of showing a man for what he is." - -Walz eyed him suspiciously but made no comment. - -Soon it was time to start back to the ranch. Warner made certain every -spark of the fire was out, and they began the long trek. Obviously very -tired, Walz dragged at the end of the line. Warner slowed his pace, but -even so the motel owner could not keep up. Once he stumbled against a -tree and gave it a savage kick. - -Finally, when they were at the ranch once more, the motel owner -collapsed on the davenport with a little moan. - -"I'm a mite out of condition," he admitted. "A couple of days on the -trail, and my muscles will be okay again. Most of my trouble today came -from having the wrong kind of shoes." - -"A mountain can give a fellow quite a beating," was Warner's only -comment. - -After an hour of rest, Walz regained his strength. With reviving zest -for the Headless Hollow adventure, he began to press Warner for a -decision. - -The rancher regarded him in surprise. "Haven't the mountains given you -your answer?" - -"That jaunt we took was no fair test! Once I get better equipment--" - -"Headless Valley is no place for an amateur," Warner told him. "If -you're dead set on going there, Pete Ranier might take you. I doubt it, -though. You'd be asking for trouble." - -"At least show me the map." - -The rancher hesitated. Then, apparently deciding his guest could make no -practical use of it, he unlocked the paper from the desk drawer. -Eagerly, Walz pored over it, his dark eyes sparkling. - -"Let me make a copy of this!" he demanded. - -Warner had begun to regret even showing the paper to the motel owner. - -"Sorry," he replied. - -Taking the map from Walz, he relocked it in the desk. - -"Walz," the rancher said, eying him steadily, "you don't seem to -understand what I've told you about the Headless Hollow region. It's a -dangerous spot for any man, even if he's at home in the mountains. You'd -be a fool to attempt it, even with a guide." - -"Who says I'm going to?" Walz retorted. - -With a shrug, he bade the group goodnight and went to the room assigned -to him. - -The Scouts soon retired, for the long hike and the fresh mountain air -had made everyone very tired. They slept soundly, hearing nothing until -Mr. Livingston pounded on their bedroom doors the next morning. - -Ken and Jack were the first to get dressed and down to the kitchen. -Warner was there ahead of them, frying bacon and expertly tossing -flapjacks. - -"Morning," he greeted the pair cheerfully. "Sleep well?" - -"Like logs," Jack answered. "How's Walz this morning? Still worn out?" - -"I wouldn't know," the rancher drawled. "Our friend is no longer with -us." - -"He left during the night?" Jack asked in astonishment. - -"Reckon so. Brace yourselves, boys. Your car is gone." - -As the Scouts accepted this news in stunned silence, Warner added: -"That's not all. Our impulsive friend likewise has stolen the map!" - - - - - Chapter 14 - GHOST TOWN - - -"The car gone?" Jack echoed the rancher's words. "And the map too?" - -"When did it happen?" Ken asked. - -Craig Warner flipped another pancake, adding it to the stack he had -baked. - -"Don't know. Some time during the night. I discovered the desk broken -into when I came downstairs about twenty minutes ago." - -"If our car's gone, we're stranded," Jack said slowly. - -"I've already telephoned the sheriff. Don't let it upset you. I figure -Warner probably won't go far. He has only one objective." - -"Headless Hollow," Jack suggested. - -"And he can't drive the car up Crazy Mountain," the rancher added dryly. -"We'll catch up with him. After breakfast, I'll drive you to Elks -Creek." - -Warner's casual view of the situation only partly reassured the Scouts. -Jack and Ken went at once to impart the bad news to the others. - -"So Walz really is a crook!" Warwick burst out angrily. - -It was impossible to determine how long Walz had been away from the -ranch. However, Willie recalled that an hour or two before dawn he had -heard an automobile motor. - -"I was so sleepy I didn't pay much attention!" he reproved himself. -"Chump!" - -The Explorers tried not to talk too much about the loss of their car, -but of course it worried them. They were hundreds of miles from Belton -City, and their money had run low. They knew they could wire their -parents for more, but they had no intention of doing so except in an -absolute emergency. - -As they ate breakfast, Craig Warner seemed in as good spirits as ever. -The loss of the map didn't appear to disturb him. - -"I can draw it myself from memory," he said. "That paper won't be nearly -the help to Walz he thinks it will." - -"Your guess is he'll head straight for the mountain?" Mr. Livingston -asked. - -The rancher nodded as he refilled the coffee cups. "He'll tackle it if -he can get anyone to go with him. Pete Ranier might be crazy enough to -do it--for a price." - -"Is he a reliable guide?" - -"One of the best, when he's sober--and that isn't often. But he has a -fiery temper. He and our friend Walz would be sure to tangle. Ranier -can't stand a tenderfoot." - -The Scouts ate rapidly, impatient to be off in pursuit of Walz. Their -host, on the other hand, was deliberate. Certainly he seemed in no hurry -to drive them to town. - -"Practically all our stuff is in that car," Willie muttered to Jack as -they stood in the yard, waiting for the rancher to start his motor in -the barn. "Doesn't he give a darn?" - -Warner backed out the car and then went into the house again. When he -returned, he was grinning. - -"Good news, boys!" he told them. "The sheriff's found your car." - -"Where?" Jack demanded eagerly. - -"Abandoned at Elks Creek. I figured Warner wouldn't take it very far." - -"How about our stuff?" - -"That I don't know." - -Though Warner's car was old, it was durable. The Explorers all piled in, -and the drive to Elks Creek was made in fast time. They found Mr. -Livingston's sedan on a side street near a gas station. One of the tires -was flat, but otherwise the car seemed not to have been damaged. - -Quickly the Scouts checked their luggage. A sleeping bag was missing, as -well as one of the pup tents and a set of nested pans. - -"At least Walz took only what he figured he'd need," Ken said in -disgust. - -Inquiry established that Walz had been seen going to Ranier's shack -shortly after dawn. - -Apparently the two had come to an agreement, for they had bought -supplies and started off in the guide's old car. - -"They're heading for Crazy Mountain," Warner decided. "Ranier should -have better sense than to start off with a fellow like Walz. He probably -figures Walz will buckle up after a day on the trail and call the deal -off." - -"He might be stubborn enough to keep on and get into real trouble," Mr. -Livingston said soberly. "He has the gold fever pretty bad." - -"I'm getting it myself," the rancher confessed with a chuckle. "Maybe -I'll sling together an outfit and pack after him. I'd like to get that -map back." - -"Would you head for Headless Hollow alone?" the Scout leader asked in -surprise. - -"Not if I can get you and your boys to come along." - -The Scouts regarded the rancher in surprise. - -"It will be no trick to pick up Walz' trail," he said. "With luck we can -overtake him by tomorrow. When we do, we'll teach our friend a little -lesson in manners." - -An expedition, even a short distance into the mountains, was not to be -undertaken lightly, and Mr. Livingston had no great enthusiasm for the -venture. Nevertheless, he agreed with the Scouts that Walz ought to be -brought to justice and forced to pay for the articles he had stolen. - -"Besides," War urged eagerly, "don't we owe it to Stony to see that Walz -never gets his hands on any gold?" - -"I can see you're all for the trip," Mr. Livingston said. "But isn't -this a job for the sheriff?" - -"It is," Warner agreed, "but getting the sheriff to tackle Crazy -Mountain is another proposition. He'll never do it." - -The whole matter was debated thoroughly, and in the end the Scout leader -was persuaded by the Explorers to give his consent. - -"Just what will develop if we do overtake Walz worries me," Mr. -Livingston admitted. "We can't take the law into our own hands." - -"Leave that part to me," Warner said grimly. "I know how to handle men -of his stripe. We'll bring him back and turn him over to the -authorities. Sheriff Brown will deputize me." - -It was believed that Walz and his guide could be overtaken speedily but, -to prepare for any possible emergency, the group decided to pack enough -supplies for several days on the trail. - -"Walz will never reach the Headless Hollow Valley," the rancher -predicted confidently. "Alone, Ranier might do it. But if I know him, -he's in this expedition only for a bit of quick cash." - -Despite the need for haste, Craig Warner and Mr. Livingston were very -thorough in their planning. Warner bought the supplies, including a vial -of saccharin for sugar because of its lightness, some powdered milk, -flour mix, oatmeal, dried fruit, salt, tea, and coffee. He also added a -first-aid kit, a fishing rod, and a revolver borrowed from a friend when -Sheriff Brown made him a deputy. - -One of Warner's ranch hands drove the party to Buckhorn and on to the -beginning of the mountain road. There the six climbers shouldered heavy -packs and trudged upward, at first following a marked trail. After a -while, the trail played out, and the going became harder. - -Making only brief stops for rest, they climbed steadily, through ravines -and steep-walled canyons. At intervals, Warner raked the distant rock -shelves with his field glass, but he failed to sight the two men he -believed to have gone on ahead. - -The day was cloudless, and a warm sun blazed down. Laboring under the -heavy packs, the Scouts perspired profusely. Their leg muscles, tough as -they were, began to ache. No one, however, made complaint or suggested a -slower pace. When they paused to drink at a spring and refill canteens, -Warner consulted the rough map he had redrawn from memory and compared -it with an accurate contour map. - -"It's only fair to warn you," he said, "the climb so far is only a tiny -taste of what's ahead." - -With a pencil, he made a dotted line, showing their projected route over -the top of the mountain and down to an isolated valley. Then the line -went up again into the higher, desolate peaks of Crazy Mountain. - -"Our problem--if we follow Walz that far," the rancher said, frowning -thoughtfully, "is to find a pass through to the Headless Hollow region. -It may not be easy. So if anyone wants to turn back, now's the time to -say so." - -One and all, the Scouts shook their heads. - -"Okay," Warner said, well pleased. "Then let's hit the trail. No time is -to be lost if we're going to overtake Walz." - -For hours, the party trudged on. They passed the water line into an area -where the trees were twisted into grotesque shapes before they thinned -out to only occasional trunks. Higher up, timber disappeared entirely. -The air became light and chilly. - -War and Willie were hard pressed to keep up with the others. Despite -their fatigue, Warner had to keep on, for it was growing late and the -area offered no suitable camp site. - -On the other slope of the mountain the descent was easier, but by the -time the rancher finally called a halt on a rock shelf above a racing -stream, everyone was worn out. - -"How do you figure Walz has managed to come this far?" Willie muttered, -dropping his pack. "I never thought he had it in him." - -"Maybe we've lost him," Jack replied. "We've not seen a trace of him or -his guide since we left Elks Creek this morning." - -While the others busied themselves making camp, Jack and Warner scanned -the ravines and mountainside with the powerful field glass. - -"See any smoke?" the rancher asked. - -Jack lowered the glass. "No trace of a camp. But I thought you said this -was uninhabited country." - -"It is." - -"Not quite. A town is hidden down there on the slope. I can see -buildings." - -The rancher smiled broadly. "Any people?" - -Again Jack studied the distant cluster of buildings through the glass. -"That's funny," he acknowledged. "The place looks lifeless. Dead." - -"You're looking at a ghost town, Jack. No one has lived there for thirty -years." - -"No one?" - -"That's right. The town flourished in the old gold days--then was -deserted. It's cut off from roads and railroads. All supplies had to be -packed in. So when the gold bubble blew up, miners pulled out." - -"Well, the town has an occupant now," Jack announced, a trace of -excitement in his voice. - -"Walz?" the rancher demanded eagerly. - -Jack shook his head, offering the glass to Warner. - -"Not Walz. His guide, perhaps. I saw a fellow with long white hair and a -beard. I caught a glimpse of him before he went into one of the -buildings." - -Warner gazed oddly at Jack as he began to adjust the powerful glass. - -"Ranier," he drawled, "doesn't have a beard, or white hair either." - - - - - Chapter 15 - WARM ASHES - - -For some minutes, Craig Warner studied the ghost town below the Scout -camp. - -"I don't see anyone," he told Jack. "Sure you saw a man?" - -"I'm certain." - -"And he had a white beard?" - -"Well, I thought so," Jack replied. "It's getting dark, though. I -suppose I could have been mistaken." - -"It may have been Walz," the rancher decided, lowering the field glass. - -That night, there was little talk over the camp fire. The Scouts were -tired, especially Warwick and Willie, and everyone turned in the minute -the work was done. - -They used fir boughs for beds, but even so the hard rock shelf was so -uncomfortable that Jack slept fitfully. His legs hurt from the long, -hard climb. His back ached, too. No matter how he adjusted himself, the -cold night air seemed to hit him. He could hear Willie and War moaning -and tossing not far away. - -Of the Explorers, only Ken appeared to be getting a sound night's sleep. - -Jack was up at dawn, ready to help Craig Warner build the fire and start -breakfast. Cups of strong black coffee, oatmeal, and pancakes made -everyone feel better and revived zest for the adventure. - -While the Scouts fixed their packs, Mr. Livingston and the rancher -carefully went over the contour map. - -"We'll swing down to the old ghost town," Warner decided. "Then we'll -have a hard climb to the pass which leads into the Headless Hollow area. -We may not be lucky enough to find a way through." - -"That's where Walz has the advantage of us," Mr. Livingston replied. -"The map he has probably shows the way." - -Since the Scouts had caught no glimpse of Walz and his guide, they had -begun to wonder if they were following a phantom trail. - -"I'd like to catch up with Walz," the rancher said. "I sure would. But -if we miss him, it may save us a lot of trouble." - -"In any case, you'll push on to the Hollow?" Ken asked hopefully. - -"I want to. Since we've come this far, we may as well have a look at -that valley. This may be our only chance." - -The decision pleased the Scouts. Tired though they were, the hard climb -was a challenge. Besides, they felt they never would be satisfied until -they learned whether or not Old Stony's tale of the valley was true. - -With the distant ghost town as the immediate objective, the party soon -started the sharp descent. - -"Keep close together, boys," Warner warned. "We don't want to start any -rock slides." - -The footing was slippery. Twice War, who had not balanced his horseshoe -pack well that morning, stumbled and would have fallen if Jack had not -seized his arm. - -"Careful," the rancher warned again. "A broken leg or even a sprained -ankle could be a serious matter, now that we're so far from help." - -As they continued, Jack saw the rancher glance frequently at the younger -boys. War was a fairly new member of the Explorers and not so well -seasoned as the others to withstand hardships. Jack himself wondered if -War would be able to hold out. - -At noon, the party stopped briefly by a stream, to drink and refill -canteens. While the others rested, Warner whipped the pools with his fly -rod and brought in four handsome trout for the meal. - -The halt refreshed War only for a while. Soon it was apparent that he -was beginning to falter. Warner, who was leading, slowed his pace but, -even so, both War and Willie trailed. - -It was a relief when finally, hours later, the party trudged into the -old ghost town which had been built hard against the shadowy -mountainside. The silence of the place was almost oppressive. - -Dropping his pack, Jack stared at the unpainted wooden buildings which -had fallen into decay. The two that were made of stone and brick were in -somewhat better condition. The row of old, deserted cabins gave him an -eerie, uneasy feeling. He wandered into one of the musty buildings. - -Suddenly he heard Ken call. Stepping outside, he saw his friend in the -doorway of the best-preserved building. - -"Come here," Ken urged. - -Jack went quickly across the empty, dusty street. - -"This is no ghost town," Ken said in a low tone. - -"What d' you mean, Ken?" - -"I'll show you." - -Ken led inside to the stone-and-clay fireplace where ashes lay deep on -the hearth. Beside the fireplace was a pile of neatly stacked wood. - -"Feel those ashes," Ken directed. - -There was no need for Jack to do so for, when he stirred them with the -toe of his boot, they gave off a thread of smoke. - -"Someone's been here!" Ken announced. "In the last few hours, too." - -"Then I was right!" - -"What d'you mean, right?" - -"Last night I was sure I saw someone through the field glass." - -"You didn't mention it." - -"I did to Craig Warner. He thought I was mistaken, or that perhaps it -was Walz." - -"Someone had a fire here in the last few hours," Ken said reflectively. -"Did you see smoke rising?" - -Jack shook his head. - -"Maybe it was Walz with his guide," Ken decided, frowning. "Probably -they camped here last night." - -"It wasn't Walz," Jack insisted. "And I don't think the fellow I saw -through the field glass was his guide, either." - -"Who else could it be?" - -"Stony's ghost maybe," Jack said, chuckling. Then he sobered. "Guess we -should warn the fellows. Someone might be prowling around here even -now." - -"What you're suggesting is sort of fantastic," Ken protested. "This -ghost town is out of the way. Why would anyone except Walz come here?" - -"Maybe word has leaked out about Stony's cache of gold." - -"Whoever it is, he's been here for quite a while, Jack. Not just -overnight." - -His gaze sharpened by Ken's remark, Jack made a more minute inspection -of the room. He saw a pile of empty tin cans, a clear indication that -someone had eaten many meals here. Match stubs were scattered on the -floor. The rotted boards, too, had been tracked heavily with mud, that -was now dry. - -Disturbed by their discovery, Ken and Jack went to warn the others. By -this time, however, the Scouts had wandered through every building in -the little town without seeing anyone. - -"If anyone was here, he's gone now," Willie remarked, unworried. - -Mr. Warner was inclined to think a prospector searching for uranium -might have chanced that way. He seemed untroubled, so Jack and Ken -decided they probably were making too much of the matter. No more was -said. - -Of far more concern was War's state of weariness. Though he made no -complaint and stubbornly insisted he felt able to go on, everyone could -see that his strength had been overtaxed. After a quiet talk, Mr. -Livingston and the rancher decided to make camp at the ghost town. - -"You're stopping because of me," War protested. "I can make it okay." - -"We're all tired," Warner told him. "From here on, the climb will be -rugged. No use killing ourselves." - -"I'll feel fine by morning," War declared, plainly relieved that the -party would not press on at once. "All I need is a good night's rest." - -Preferring to sleep under the stars, the Scouts set their camp in a -sheltered spot at the edge of the empty little village. That night, -around the camp fire Warner told the boys of the old Colorado boom days -when mining towns had flourished. - -"Nearly all of the old camps have shriveled and fallen into decay," he -said. "Some have become tourist attractions. Not this place, because it -is inaccessible except to a hardy climber." - -War was the first to turn in for the night, and the others prepared to -follow. Jack stood a moment, staring up at the jagged mountain peaks. -Their way on the morrow lay amid a tumbled mass of rocks and pinnacles, -with ridges running in several directions. Would Warner be able to find -the pass? - -Unnoticed, Mr. Livingston came up behind him. - -"A penny for your thoughts, Jack." - -"They're worth less. I was thinking we're in for a real test tomorrow." - -"We are," the Scout leader agreed, "and, frankly, I'm worried about -War." - -"His condition?" - -"Yes. He has determination and nerve, but he's not up to a trip as hard -as this one." - -"What can we do?" - -"Nothing except make it as easy as we can for him. Warner and I will -lighten his pack tomorrow. We can't cache any of the food, because we're -likely to run short as it is." - -On the mountainside the night was bitterly cold. Nevertheless, everyone -slept soundly until dawn. - - - - - Chapter 16 - MISSING SUPPLIES - - -Warner, the first one up, started the fire going and began mixing pan -bread. Jack cut more wood and then went to get supplies from his pack. - -"Hey, who took my stuff?" he demanded loudly. - -The pack was not hanging where he had left it the previous night. While -he searched, Willie let out a yip. - -"Hey, the food I carried is gone too!" he yelled. "All the tea, the -flour, and our raisins!" - -Grimly, Mr. Livingston and the rancher joined in the search. Very -quickly they realized it was a waste of time. - -"Someone sneaked up here during the night and went off with the stuff!" -Jack said angrily. - -The loss of so much food was a serious matter. Carefully, the Scouts -searched every building in the old ghost town. They came upon no one. -However, as they went from cabin to cabin, they experienced a strange, -uneasy feeling. - -"I feel as if someone is watching us," Jack muttered, expressing the -thoughts of the others. - -Back at camp, Warner rounded up everyone for a conference. - -"Loss of our food is serious," he said. "We have some left, but not -enough to go on." - -The Scouts regarded him with sober faces. Until this moment, they had -not realized how much it meant to them to attain their goal--Headless -Hollow. - -"What's the verdict?" Jack asked, after a long silence. - -"I hate to say this, boys," the rancher replied. "But we're up against -it. There's nothing we can do but turn back." - -Jack poked at the rocks with a stick, thinking over the rancher's -decision. He knew it was a wise one. So did all the Scouts. - -"It's like this," Warner said. "I've made a fast check of our supplies. -If we don't have any further bad luck, there's barely enough food to get -us to Headless Valley, with nothing for the return trip." - -"Fish," Willie said hopefully. "We could cut our rations." - -"Afraid it wouldn't help much. We've made slower time than I figured. -Naturally, we've consumed more food, and we were short enough even -without this theft." - -"Who do you figure did it?" Jack speculated. "Not Walz?" - -"I doubt Walz got this far. If he headed for the hollow as we assumed, -he may have gone by a different route." - -"That fellow I saw through the field glass may have done it," Jack -pursued. - -"Could be," Warner agreed. "I thought you were wrong night before last -when you said you saw someone, but it seems I was." - -"Stealing a man's food is serious business," Mr. Livingston remarked. - -"It is," the rancher agreed. "Why didn't the fellow--whoever he -was--come forward and ask for what he needed?" - -"Where is he now? That's what I want to know," Willie grunted. - -"Probably hiding out somewhere in the rocks and trees," Warner replied. -"For that matter, if he's unfriendly, he could take a pot shot at us." - -"You assume he's armed?" Mr. Livingston asked in surprise. - -"Why not?" Warner hesitated and then added: "Along with the food, he -took my gun. I thought I wouldn't worry you by saying anything about it, -but reckon I should." - -This additional bad news hit the Scouts hard. It was War who broke the -gloomy silence. - -"I've been a drag," he admitted. "No, don't try to feed me any soft -soap. This is my point: suppose I turn back? Wouldn't you have enough -grub for the rest of the party?" - -"It would be shaving it too close," Warner replied. - -"Maybe if two of us went back--?" suggested Willie slowly. "For -instance, War and me." - -"Even at that, I doubt we could make it," Warner said after a moment's -thought. "Thanks, boys, for offering." - -"Is there a forest ranger's station near Elks Creek?" Jack asked -suddenly. - -"Yes," Warner told him. - -"Does the service have patrol planes?" - -"Yes. They're stationed about fifteen miles from Elks Creek." - -"The Headless Hollow area has a lake," Jack reminded the group. "Do you -suppose it would be possible to get the rangers to fly over that lake -and drop a supply of food?" - -"Jack, you have a brain!" Ken exclaimed. "Only how do we get word to the -rangers?" - -"That part's easy," Willie said quietly. "War and I will carry the -message." - -The unselfishness of the two Scouts drew everyone's admiration. Jack and -Ken insisted that if anyone turned back, they would be the ones to do -it. But in this they were overruled by both Mr. Livingston and the -rancher. - -After a thorough discussion, Willie's plan prevailed. Accordingly, he -and War took light packs with just enough food and bedding to see them -safely back to Elks Creek. - -"We'll have a plane speeding to Headless Hollow in a couple of days," -Willie promised. "But if it should be a little longer, don't worry. -We'll get it there somehow." - -"Take the return trip slowly," Mr. Livingston urged them. - -He offered to go with them, but they would not hear of it. War insisted -that he felt strong again after his night's rest and could make the -return journey without difficulty. - -"It's better this way," he said. "When I took a look at that mountain -last night, I knew I never could make it to the pass." - -"Just be sure you bring back some gold," Willie said with a grin, as the -Scouts bade him good-by. "And keep your eyes peeled for trouble." - -The two trudged off, turning once to wave. Shouldering their packs, the -others then started on the long climb in the opposite direction. - -The sun glistened brightly on the high peaks. Jack tried to distinguish -the two sentinel rocks which Old Stony had led them to believe guarded -the entrance into the valley. However, all the peaks looked alike to -him. - -Warner had not exaggerated in warning that the climb would be hard. -After two hours of it, the Scouts welcomed a rest. Jack dropped his -bedroll and stretched out flat on his back. - -Shading his eyes against the glare of the sun, he let his gaze wander -over the distant peaks again. For just an instant, he thought he saw the -flash of color against granite rock. Getting quickly to his feet, he -asked Warner for his field glass. - -"What do you see?" Ken demanded as Jack trained it on the rocks far -above them. "The old man with whiskers?" - -"Nothing," Jack reported, crestfallen. "Thought for a minute it was -someone's red shirt." - -"You're seeing things for sure!" - -"Guess so," Jack conceded with a grin. He returned the glass to its case -and flopped on the ground once more. - -After a twenty-minute rest, the party started on. - -The way became increasingly difficult and the footing insecure. Once -Jack dislodged a small rock and it clattered down the mountainside -hundreds of feet. Canyons bore the scars of sizable slides. Warner told -the Scouts that in winter avalanches were a great hazard in this -area--that even a small rock slide could be very dangerous. - -Lunch was frugal. Mr. Livingston boiled water for tea, but in the high -altitude it took a long while. The Scouts satisfied themselves with -crackers and cheese. - -"It's always wise to eat lightly when you're climbing," Jack said with a -grin. - -For another hour, they fought their way upward through the tumbled -rocks. It was Warner's hope that they could find the pass and before -nightfall descend to a good camp site in the valley. - - - - - Chapter 17 - AVALANCHE - - -The party worked itself on up toward the summit, climbing doggedly, -single file--when suddenly a strange noise was heard. - -Warner, in the lead, looked up quickly. A giant boulder was hurtling -down the steep mountainside, taking all before it. - -"Stand where you are!" he shouted hoarsely. "Don't move!" - -As the great boulder bounded down the mountainside toward the Scouts, -they stood frozen. It was impossible to guess the exact course the big -stone would take, for it was careening wildly. - -To run when the footing was so treacherous would have been far more -dangerous than to remain where they were. Craig Warner, an experienced -mountaineer, had made his split-second decision and his shout of warning -had been instantly obeyed by the Explorers. However, to remain -motionless as the massive rock raced toward them required almost more -willpower than they could command. - -The crisis came quickly. The huge boulder, showering loose rock in all -directions, loomed above the boys. Then as quickly as the danger had -come, it was over. With the speed of an express train, the rock swept -past them. By scant inches it missed Ken, setting up a breeze as it -rushed by. - -On rolled the big rock to crash hundreds of feet below in a tangle of -twisted pines. - -"Wow! That was close!" Ken exclaimed when he had recovered speech. - -Jack, breathing hard, asked shakily, "What started that rock rolling -down the mountain? An animal?" - -"A two-legged one, I suspect," rejoined Warner, his voice tight. - -He adjusted his field glass to train it on the rocks high above them. - -Lowering it after several minutes, he said: "No question about it. That -rock was dislodged purposely." - -"By whom?" Jack demanded. - -"I glimpsed the fellow only for an instant when I first saw the rock -coming our way. Then he ducked back out of sight." - -"It wasn't Walz?" Mr. Livingston asked. - -"I don't think so, but I couldn't be sure," the rancher returned, -squinting thoughtfully into the sun. - -"Maybe it's that same bird who stole our food," Jack speculated. "For an -unpopulated mountain, this place seems to have quite a bit of activity." - -"Too much," Warner tersely agreed. - -The near disaster had slightly unnerved everyone. Both Mr. Livingston -and Craig Warner were puzzled, for the rancher said again that he knew -of no prospector who frequented Crazy Mountain. - -"Why would anyone want to prevent us from reaching the pass?" he -speculated. "Walz would have a reason, but I doubt he ever got this far. -Even with Ranier he certainly couldn't have made it." - -"Someone else may know about the cache of gold," Jack suggested. - -"It begins to look that way," Warner agreed. "Either that, or we're -dealing with a screwball. If a man lives too long alone--well, sometimes -his mind becomes twisted." - -After a brief rest, the party struggled on, the mystery unsolved. Warner -used exceeding caution, keeping almost constant watch of the ledges -above. But he didn't get a glimpse of anyone. - -Climbing was slow work, and the Scouts were hampered by the necessity -for keeping constantly alert for further trouble from above. A misstep -could have meant a bad fall because below were enormous cliffs and -breath-taking drops. - -"With luck, we should soon reach the pass," Warner advised the group. -"Our contour map doesn't show it, so I'm depending entirely on that -memory sketch I made." - -"We haven't sighted those two twin peaks Old Stony told us about," Jack -said. - -"That's what bothers me," Warner replied. "In taking his landmarks, -maybe he made them on the return trip from Headless Hollow." - -"That's so!" exclaimed Ken, startled. "In that case, everything would be -different from the way we're seeing it." - -"Don't forget, Old Stony may have drawn his map purposely wrong to throw -off anyone who might steal it," Mr. Livingston reminded them. - -"We'll soon know," Warner replied. - -Settling themselves to a hard, relentless grind of climbing, the Scouts -followed their guide with dogged determination. Progress now was -painfully slow. An hour was required to make a few hundred feet. - -Jack's back had grown numb from the weight of the pack. His legs felt as -if they would buckle beneath him. Mr. Livingston likewise was showing -signs of fatigue, and so was Ken. Only their guide seemed utterly -tireless. But as the overcast sun began to lower behind the jagged -peaks, even Warner began to falter and show signs of strain. - -His growing uneasiness began to be felt by the others. In the last few -hours, they had caught no glimpse of the mysterious enemy believed to -have dislodged the rock. In fact, they had half forgotten the incident. -But a greater worry now confronted them. - -Night was coming on, and unless the pass soon materialized, they must -make camp. However, the narrow ledges provided little more than walking -space. At times the grades were fairly gentle, giving the party a little -breathing spell. Then again they became so steep it was hard to find -good footing. - -Warner and Mr. Livingston pushed desperately on, hoping to find the pass -before darkness crept upon the lonely mountain. Though they gave no -verbal hint of their growing concern, Ken and Jack could tell by the -grim way the two men climbed that they were worried. - -To add to the party's mounting alarm, the sky was rapidly becoming -veiled with black clouds that clung around the mountain peaks, ugly and -threatening. - -"We'll have rain pretty soon," Ken predicted, as he and Jack halted to -drop their packs briefly. "That's all we need to make this day -complete!" - -Jack was too weary to answer. But, scanning the darkening sky, he -nodded. - -The day's climb had been unbelievably hard, and seemingly it was -endless. How much longer, he wondered, would he be able to keep going? -He was glad Willie and War were safely on their way back to Elks -Creek--at least he hoped they were safe and comfortable. - -"The pass shouldn't be much farther off," Warner said to encourage the -Scouts. "We ought to come to it within another half hour." - -"A half hour," Ken repeated. "Well, let's get the agony finished as fast -as we can!" - - - - - Chapter 18 - DEAD END - - -The party wormed its way up Crazy Mountain, gingerly testing the -crumbling rock lest it give beneath their feet. Tortuously, they made -another five hundred feet. Then Warner, who was in the lead, halted. - -"Boys," he said, "I'm afraid we're in a pocket. This can't be the way to -the pass." - -No one spoke. - -"Wait here," he directed them. "I think we've come to a dead end. If I -can get up to that next ledge, maybe I can see a way on, but I doubt -it." - -Feeling along the wall, he secured a firm hand grip and, with Mr. -Livingston's help from below, attained the ledge above. He crept along -it and vanished from view. For a long while the Scouts waited, uneasily -watching the darkening mountains. Their situation, they knew, was -rapidly becoming precarious. - -Finally, Craig Warner reappeared and lowered himself back onto the -narrow ledge where the Scouts waited. His face told the story. - -"No chance of going on?" Mr. Livingston asked. - -"None." Warner nursed his bruised hands. "We're at an absolute dead end. -We've reached a cul-de-sac." - -His words fell like a shroud upon the weary, footsore group. - -"We can't camp here," Jack said at last. "What'll we do?" - -"There's only one course open to us. We'll have to return the way we -came." - -"Return?" Ken echoed flatly. "Not all the way back to the ghost town?" - -"Maybe half that distance," Warner advised. "There's no water here or -fuel. Not even a place to pitch a tent. Temporarily at least, Crazy -Mountain has licked us!" - -Completely disheartened, everyone sat down on the rocky ledge to discuss -the situation. - -Night was fast coming on. A descent along the narrow trail would at best -be a risky undertaking, but to remain where they were was out of the -question. - -"There's no possibility of going on?" Mr. Livingston asked the rancher. -"None whatsoever?" - -Warner shook his head. "The ledge above us plays out entirely, and the -one beyond can't be reached. We're in a pocket." - -"Then we'll have to accept the situation," the Scout leader said, -getting wearily to his feet. "Let's go." - -Nearing exhaustion as they were, it seemed to Ken and Jack that they -could not trudge another mile. But they forced themselves to follow -Warner. Knowing that their safety depended upon reaching the wider -ledges before darkness completely enveloped the mountain, he took them -at a brutal pace. - -The Scouts were discouraged, footsore, and desperately hungry. Their -only sustenance since noon had been a small piece of chocolate which had -provided a little quick energy. - -In less than an hour, darkness closed in. To add to their troubles, it -began to rain. The fall was not hard, but it came steadily. Soon the -Scouts were chilled through. - -It seemed to Jack and Ken they never could make it. Every step had -become an agony. Minds and bodies had become half paralyzed. Yet -automatically their feet kept plodding on. - -Warner seemed to have an instinct for making his way, even in the dark -and rain. His flashlight guided them at the dangerous turns. - -Then gradually their route became easier, the slope more gradual. They -reached a shelf and a little wooded area beside a fast-rushing stream. -It was not the best camp site, but by this time none of them was too -particular. - -Dropping their packs, the Scouts went in search of firewood. Jack found -dry kindling material inside a log. Ken, after hard chopping, gathered -enough wood to get a little blaze going. By that time, Mr. Livingston -had the pup tents up. - -Everyone huddled near the fire, waiting for tea water to boil. Some of -their misery began to fade. - -The rain had practically ceased. The air, however, was damp, and a mist -shrouded everything. - -Little by little, the Scouts began to dry out and relax. Hot tea revived -their spirits. By the time Warner had prepared oatmeal and bacon, they -were feeling almost normal again. But no one spoke of plans for the next -day. - -After the simple meal the Explorers chopped more wood. Then they rolled -into their beds and slept soundly. - -By morning, the unpleasant experience on Crazy Mountain was only a dim -memory. Ken and Jack, even Mr. Livingston, awoke feeling only a little -tired and muscle sore. - -Once they were astir, most of their aches disappeared. The day was -bright and sunny. Warner had risen early to whip the eddies for a few -trout and these were cleaned and in the pan, delicately browning for -breakfast. - -Over the food, the group discussed procedure. A full day had been lost -in the futile search for the pass. There was no assurance that, if they -went on, it ever would be found before their skimpy food supply became -exhausted. - -"I've been looking over the map again this morning," Warner said, -spreading it on the rocks. "There's another way up, and it may lead us -through--that is, if you're game to tackle it. I'm leaving the decision -to you fellows." - -Ken glanced first at Mr. Livingston and then at Jack. - -"After that mess of trout, I could tackle anything," Jack declared. -"Let's go!" - -"Those are my sentiments," Ken echoed. "No mountain is going to lick -me." - -"We may run into another cul-de-sac," the rancher warned. "It's a chance -we have to take." - -Breaking camp, the party set off once more. This time, they chose a way -which at first was more difficult than the one they had taken the -previous day. Nevertheless, as the day wore on, they became hopeful it -might lead them to their objective. - -"It's queer we've seen nothing of Walz or Ranier," Jack remarked as the -group paused to catch breath after a particularly steep stretch. - -"We may run into them yet," Warner said. "With Old Stony's map, they had -a better chance than we of reaching the pass without trouble." - -As the party climbed higher, a sharp wind whistled eerily around the -crags. At times, Jack imagined he heard hollow laughter, as if the -spirit of Crazy Mountain were chortling at some secret joke. - -"This place gives me a queer feeling," he confessed to Ken. "Ever since -we left the ghost town, I keep thinking we're being watched." - -Ken did not laugh as Jack had expected him to do. Instead, he said: "I -know. I've been having that same feeling. I figure it's because our -stuff was stolen, and then someone shoved that rock down on us." - -"It could have been an accident--" - -"Sure, but Warner isn't the kind to make a mistake like that." - -"No, he's levelheaded," Jack returned soberly. "I figure if we do find -that pass today--well, we may run into rugged going beyond that point." - -"You think someone besides Walz wants to keep us out of the valley?" - -"It's a possibility, isn't it? I was thinking about it last night, Ken, -before I dropped off to sleep. Maybe someone stumbled onto Old Stony's -secret long before we came here." - -"A prospector?" - -"Possibly." - -"In that case, the gold's gone--if ever there was any." - -"Maybe not," Jack replied thoughtfully. "If the gold had been toted out, -word of it would have spread like wildfire. Beside, wouldn't the -discoverer have cleared out of the valley as fast as he could, once he -had the cache?" - -"It's all too deep for me," Ken answered with a shrug. "My bones tell -me, though, that we'd better be prepared for a dose of trouble before -we're through." - -"Double trouble," Jack added with a grin. - -By two o'clock doubt again began to assail the climbers. The going was -hard once more, and the pass seemed as elusive as ever. The prospect of -having to retreat a second time sent shivers of weariness down the -spines of the Scouts. - -"If we don't make it today, we'll have to turn back to Elks Creek," Mr. -Warner announced. - -Presently, from a high point which gave a clear view of the surrounding -peaks he made another careful survey. Impatiently, the others awaited -his verdict. - -"I think I see what might be called twin peaks," he said finally. "If -so, we're close to the pass." - -His words cheered everyone. Jack even hummed a little tune as he tramped -on. The heavy pack actually felt lighter on his back. - -The feeling of exultation grew as signs gave increasing encouragement -that this time their way would not be blocked. Soon the Explorers came -out on the round top of the mountain. - -While the others drank in the view, Warner and Jack searched for a way -down into the green valley. - -"You can see the tiny lake from here," the rancher pointed out. "We -ought to reach it before nightfall. And if all goes well, the plane -should soon drop our supplies." - -After careful consideration, Warner selected a route down which did not -look too difficult. Mr. Livingston and Ken were willing enough to leave, -for the bald dome was wind-swept and uncomfortably chilly. Patches of -snow lay in the more protected crannies. - -In crossing an open space to join Jack and the rancher, Ken abruptly -halted. He directed the attention of his companions to moccasin prints, -plainly visible in the snow. - -"And we thought we were the first to reach this pass!" he exclaimed. - -The prints, the Scouts decided, had been made within a short time--but -by whom? They were fairly certain that Walz had been wearing shoes and -not moccasins. - -"Any Indians living on Crazy Mountain?" Hap Livingston asked the -rancher. - -"Not that I ever heard." - -Led by Warner, the Scouts started soberly down through the pass. Now -that their objective was close, they wondered all the more at the -dangers. Walz and Ranier, of course, were known hazards who, even though -they might be hostile, could be dealt with. But what of the unknown -inhabitant of the mountain? - -Thoughts were tumbling without pattern in Jack's mind, when Warner up -ahead suddenly halted. Pulling himself up short, Jack saw that the -rancher was staring fixedly at something. - -"What is it?" he demanded. - -Without replying, the rancher moved aside so that the others could see. - -A stunted pine was growing out of a rock at a rakish angle and dangling -from its twisted lower limb was a skeleton. - - - - - Chapter 19 - THE CABIN - - -At sight of the swinging skeleton, the Scouts stood rooted to the rocks. -Jack was the first to recover speech. - -"Jeepers! Is it a warning intended for us?" - -"A little hint we're to go no farther?" demanded Ken. - -Upon closer inspection, the skeleton proved to be one of a bear with -several head bones missing. Mr. Livingston cut it down with his pocket -knife. - -"I don't like this," he said. - -"We may be walking into a trap," Warner conceded. "From the map, I judge -there's no entrance or exit to Headless Hollow except through this -narrow pass." - -"You mean once down there we may find it hard to get back?" - -"We face that chance. There's no question this skeleton was hung here as -a warning. It was probably meant for anyone who might chance this way." - -"Then the valley must hold treasure," Ken said, his eyes kindling. - -"Don't build up that hope," Mr. Livingston warned him. "We may be -dealing with a man who is out of his mind." - -"That's what alarms me," agreed Craig Warner. "I'd feel safer if I had -my gun." - -"We're four to one," Ken pointed out. - -"True," the rancher replied, "but numbers can be misleading. Besides, we -don't know for sure if there's only one against us." - -Despite the discussion, no one considered turning back. The climbers had -suffered too intensely to think of giving up their objective now. At -least the valley was attainable, and the route down did not look too -hard. But certainly the warning skeleton had alerted them to possible -danger, and they knew they had to remain constantly on guard. - -Pressing on, the Scouts followed Warner single file down the slope. - -Deep blue shadows were lengthening by the time the four swung through a -deeply wooded area. Here they proceeded with even greater caution. But, -without incident, they finally came out on a flat shelf overlooking the -valley. - -With a common impulse, everyone halted, for the view snatched away their -breath. A tiny sapphire lake lay far below. Against the dark backdrop of -the mountainside stood a tiny cabin. - -"That must be the place Stony and my father built," Warner said. "We've -reached our goal--Headless Hollow." - -"But not the gold," Ken reminded him. - -"That doesn't concern me too much," the rancher replied. "If Stony left -a cache and it's still here, I admit I'd like to have it. I could -enlarge my ranch, rebuild the barn, and make a lot of repairs. But -getting the ore out of this valley would take some doing, I reckon." - -With darkness fast coming on, the Scouts pushed rapidly along. Gone was -all fatigue. An excitement which steadily mounted buoyed up their -spirits and made them forget their weariness. - -The sun was nearly down when at last the party trudged up to the cabin -they had seen from the distance. They approached cautiously, mindful -that Walz and his guide or the unknown inhabitant of Crazy Mountain -might have taken refuge there. They found no one, though. Jack pointed -out that the cabin logs were in a remarkable state of preservation for -having stood so long. - -"This cabin has been kept repaired," Warner announced after he had -looked it over. - -Telling the Scouts and Mr. Livingston to keep back, he crept to the -glassless cabin window and peered in. Seeing no one, he motioned that it -was safe for the others to approach. - -The cabin was practically without a floor, since the boards had -deteriorated. Furniture consisted of a broken-down table, a stool, and a -pile of fir boughs which had served as someone's bed. - -Jack went over and touched the ashes in the crumbling fireplace. "Warm," -he reported. - -"Someone has certainly been living here recently," Warner said. "No sign -of anyone around now, though." - -It was too late to search that night for the caches of gold ore which -Old Stony had claimed he hid in the hollow. Feeling almost as if they -were intruders in the valley, the Scouts set about preparing supper. - -Warner fished the lake, bringing in a nice mess of trout. It heartened -the group. They had decided to hoard enough of the meager supplies for -an emergency return to Elks Creek if necessary. - -"Willie and War should be able to get help to us by tomorrow," Mr. -Livingston said. "If the Forest Service plane drops food, we'll be all -right. But if the plan goes amiss for any reason, we may have a rough -time of it." - -The night was closing in chilly, with a threat of rain, so the Scouts -decided to sleep inside the cabin. - -A fire brought a little cheer to the dreary room. Mr. Livingston and -Craig Warner told a few stories of past experiences in the wilds. -However, talk soon died for, although no one said so openly, the -atmosphere was oppressive. - -Twice Jack left the fire to gaze out the open window. He couldn't see -anyone in the dark, yet he couldn't rid himself of the feeling that -someone was prowling near the cabin. - -"Think we ought to post a guard?" he suggested. - -"Not a bad idea," Warner agreed. "I'm a light sleeper, though, so maybe -we can take a chance." - -Before turning in, he and Mr. Livingston made a tour of the cabin area. -Everything was quiet. A light rain, however, had started to fall. - -"This may prevent the plane from dropping our food tomorrow," Mr. -Livingston remarked, scanning the sky. - -The Scouts made up their beds and turned in. Jack was too weary to -sleep. After a while, above the sound of the rain, he thought he heard -footsteps outside the cabin. Quickly, he got up. - -Before he could investigate, the door was flung open. Jarrett Walz, his -clothing torn and wet, staggered in. - -His arrival awakened the others, and Ken built up the fire, which -provided a flickering light in the cabin. - -"Where's Ranier?" Warner demanded. - -"That yellow dog deserted me," Walz muttered, collapsing onto the bed of -pine boughs. - -"You quarreled?" the rancher guessed. - -"Yes," Walz admitted sullenly. "I made it here after he left me at the -pass. The thief took my food. I'm half starved." - -It was evident that the motel owner had suffered severely on the trail. -Despite their intense dislike for the man, the Scouts could not help -feeling sorry for him. - -Mr. Livingston brewed him a cup of strong tea and used the last of the -flour to make pancakes for him. Walz ate ravenously. - -"Why did Ranier turn back?" Warner asked when the motel owner had -finished eating. "You say you quarreled?" - -"Almost constantly. He said I wasn't paying him enough for the risk of -the trip, and that I wasn't doing my share of the camp work. Then we -came to the pass--" - -"And the bear skeleton?" Jack suggested. - -"Yes. That finished Ranier. He said the valley was evil and he wouldn't -set foot in it. So he deserted me." - -"You have the map you stole from me?" Warner asked. - -Walz eyed him defiantly. - -"Maybe." - -"Hand it over." - -"Like fun I will! I didn't all but kill myself to get here, only to make -things easy for you. Oh, no!" - -"We can take the map," the rancher quietly reminded him. - -"You can't," Walz sneered. "I'm not dumb enough to walk in here with it -in my pocket." - -"You've hidden it?" - -"Better than that. I've destroyed it." Triumphantly, the motel owner -tapped his forehead. "The secret is here--right here. Known only to me." - -Warner shrugged. He had no reason to doubt Walz' statement. - -"You may regret destroying the map," he observed. "A memory sometimes -proves faulty." - -"Not mine," Walz boasted. "I'll find that gold, and it will be mine--all -mine!" - -"You're loco," Warner retorted. "We ought to heave you out of here, but -we'll be generous--a weakness you wouldn't understand." - -The Scouts made room for the motel owner near the fire. He had not -feigned exhaustion. Almost at once he fell into a deep sleep. - -"He should make no trouble tonight," Warner said contemptuously. -"Tomorrow may be a different story." - -Once more the Scouts turned in for the night. Again Jack slept, though -fitfully. At times he imagined Walz was stirring. Always it was his -fancy. Then again, he imagined he heard a noise outside the cabin. - -Actually, it was toward morning when he awoke with a start. His -imagination again? - -Suddenly he knew that it was not. He felt smothered, suffocated. - -Starting up, he began to cough and choke. The cabin was filled with -smoke! - - - - - Chapter 20 - THE PLANE - - -For a moment, Jack thought the cabin was on fire. But there were no -flames. Groping his way through the blinding smoke, he flung open the -door. - -As he reached the better air, he heard a hard thud on the ground at the -rear of the wretched cabin. Then, in the semi-darkness, he saw a shadowy -figure darting toward the dense bush rimming the lake. - -By this time, Ken too was awake, coughing and fighting the smoke. The -others quickly rose and made their way out into the night air. - -If Jack had cherished any thought that Walz was responsible for the -condition of the cabin, it was dispelled. The motel owner staggered out, -rubbing his eyes and whining that he had been asphyxiated. - -"You closed the flue!" he accused them. "You wanted to get rid of me!" - -The Scouts paid no attention to his mutterings. Instead, Jack and Ken -checked the fireplace. Smoke from the half-burned-out fire was pouring -into the room instead of rising up the flue. - -"Must be a down draft," Ken said, fighting the smoke. "The air's heavy -because of the rain." - -"Not that heavy, Ken." - -Jack recollected the strange thudding noise he had heard and the -fleeting shadow he had seen. Someone, he was convinced, had been on the -roof of the cabin. - -"I'm going to see what's wrong," he announced. "Help me up there, will -you?" - -"You may crash through the roof," Ken warned. "One good puff of wind and -this whole place will fall down like a cardboard box." - -He and Craig Warner gave Jack a boost onto the sloping roof. In a moment -they heard his shout of discovery. - -"No wonder we were smoked out!" - -"What's wrong?" Ken demanded. - -"A hunk of wood has been jammed down the chimney! The smoke couldn't -escape, so it went out into the cabin." - -Jack tugged and pulled, but the piece of wood had been wedged tightly -into the chimney. Ken climbed up with a hatchet. Together they chopped -the chunk to splinters, then dropped back down onto the ground. - -"Who did it?" Walz demanded in a shaky voice. - -"The ghost of Old Stony," Jack replied in jest. "Maybe he's upset to -find us in his valley." - -At mention of the old prospector, Walz seemed to go to pieces. - -"Don't be saying things like that!" he fairly screamed. - -"Sorry," Jack apologized. "It was only a joke. I don't know any more -than you do about who wedged that wood into the chimney. But it was done -on purpose." - -"I'm not going back in there tonight," Walz whined with a shudder. "Why, -it's a wonder we weren't burned in our beds!" - -By this time, the sky had grown lighter, an indication that dawn was not -far off. The clouds were clearing, and the rain had stopped. - -"If Willie and War got through to the Forest Service station, we may -sight their plane today," Mr. Livingston said hopefully. - -No one attempted to go back to sleep. Warner and Jack made a brief but -futile search for their mysterious enemy. - -"I suspect it's the same fellow who stole our food and my gun," the -rancher said. - -"You think it's somebody who has been living here in the valley?" - -"It looks that way, Jack. Who he is, or how he manages to keep alive, I -don't know. We'll have to be eternally on guard." - -Mr. Livingston and Ken had fished the lake during their absence, and now -near the cabin they proudly displayed four good-sized trout. - -"Where's Walz?" Ken suddenly asked. - -The motel owner was not to be found near the cabin nor in it. Very -shortly the Scouts learned the reason: during their absence, he had -disappeared. With him had gone their few remaining supplies. - -"Why, that thieving rascal!" Warner exclaimed. "We took pity on him and -shared what little we had. This is our pay." - -Only a perfunctory search was made for Walz. It was certain he had taken -refuge in the bush not far from the cabin, but to track him down would -have been a difficult and useless task. - -"By this time, he'll have hidden what he can't consume," Warner said in -disgust. "He probably figures on finding those caches and getting out of -here fast." - -Breakfast was a disheartening meal. The fish, baked in leaves, was -tasteless without salt. - -"We'll not starve," Warner said. "But it's sure we have to replenish our -supply of staples or hit the trail for Elks Creek. The question is, can -we be sure that Willie and War have gotten help for us?" - -Mr. Livingston spoke with quiet confidence: "Unless they had some bad -luck the plane will get here." - -"Good flying weather today," Ken added cheerfully. - -"It's settled then that we stick it out," Warner said. - -They decided that one of them should remain close to the clearing -throughout the day to make certain the plane would not be missed. -Selecting a fairly level place where the packages of food might be -parachuted down, Jack laid out a bright-colored cloth as a signal. - -In the meantime Warner, Mr. Livingston, and Ken set off to try to find -the gold caches. At noon they returned, tired, hungry, and discouraged. - -"No luck," Ken reported, "but we did find a grave on a hillside not far -from the lake." - -"My father's," Craig Warner said. "There was a marker with his name." - -"An odd thing," Mr. Livingston contributed. "Ferns and flowers have been -planted beside the grave." - -"Recently too," added Ken. "At least, the earth around them has been -loosened recently." - -Warner gazed toward the distant mountains, glistening in the bright -sunlight. "This trip has already been worth while for me," he said. "The -gold doesn't matter." - -"But there is gold!" Jack insisted. "At least, when I was at the lake I -saw particles of it that had washed down from the hills. And I found a -sluice box someone had been using." - -"Our unknown enemy, probably," Warner said. "He didn't show himself -while we were gone?" - -"No one." - -"Any sign of a plane?" - -"None." - -In the afternoon, Ken took his turn staying behind, while the others -resumed search for the caches of ore. According to Warner's recollection -of the map, both had been near the entrance to a ravine some distance -from the lake, but the morning search had proven unfruitful. - -"I may have made a miscalculation," the rancher admitted. - -"Maybe we picked the wrong ravine," said Jack. - -They began the afternoon search nearer the lake and cabin. Immediately, -landmarks seemed somewhat more familiar and similar to the chart -markings they remembered. - -"We must be on the right track!" Jack said jubilantly. - -They were encouraged to find old holes drilled in the hillside. This -they took to be evidence that Old Stony or other prospectors who -followed him had tested the area as a possible mine site. - -But the hiding place, if ever there had been one, could not be found. - -"Maybe Walz has had better luck," Jack said, sinking down on a rock. -"Queer we haven't had a glimpse of him all day." - -"He's lying low," Mr. Livingston said. "Either that, or he's hit out for -Elks Creek." - -Disheartened, the trio finally headed back toward the cabin. As they -rounded a ridge, Jack suddenly stiffened. - -"Listen!" - -Faintly in the distance, they could hear the drone of an airplane -engine. - -"War and Willie are sending help!" Jack cried. "Food!" - -With all haste, the three fought their way up the crumbling rocks. -Reaching a high spot, they eagerly scanned the sky. - -Far to the east, a tiny moving speck could be discerned. - -"It's coming this way!" Jack shouted. "The pilot can't miss the lake!" - -Although the plane was still far away, he took off his hat and began -waving it in a wide arc. He might have spared himself the trouble. - -The plane came on closer for a moment longer and then, for no apparent -reason, it banked and turned back on its course. - -Jack kept thinking that it surely would circle again. But it did not. - -As he and his companions watched in stunned silence, it vanished between -the mountain peaks. - - - - - Chapter 21 - THE ENEMY - - -Heartsick, Jack, Craig Warner, and Hap Livingston trudged back to the -cabin. Ken, too, had seen the plane from the woods where he had been -gathering a few edible berries. He reported that it had not come close -enough to the clearing for him to signal. - -"What made it turn back?" he grieved. "Surely the lake makes a sizable -landmark." - -"It may not have been the Forest Service plane," said Warner. - -"Something's wrong," Mr. Livingston declared. "Warwick and Willie may -have had trouble getting through. If anything happened to them--well, -I'll always blame myself for letting them go off alone." - -"They've made it by now," Jack said. - -However, he spoke with more confidence than he felt. War's condition had -not been the best, and it was quite possible he had fallen ill on the -trail. Resolutely, he put the matter from his mind. There was enough to -worry about as it was, he told himself. - -"Any visitors while we were away?" he asked Ken as the group walked to -the cabin. - -"Only a bear. He didn't stick around long when he found there was no -food." - -"Walz?" - -"Not a glimpse of him." - -"He's hidden out in a canyon somewhere," Jack guessed. "He may give us -trouble yet--especially if we should find the gold before he does." - -"Not much chance of that," Ken replied. "In fact, I'm beginning to think -Stony dreamed up that gold. The valley's real enough, but that cache may -have been all fancy." - -Jack made no answer. Weary, hungry, and discouraged, he too wondered if -the trip to Headless Hollow might not have been a mistake. However, he -had no intention of saying so. Fetching water from the lake, he went -into the cabin and flung himself onto the bed of boughs. - -Despite his weariness, he did not lie there long. Something which was -propped against the fireplace drew his gaze. He rolled off the bed and -went over to pick it up. It was a long strip of bark, and on the inside -surface a message had been printed in uneven charcoal letters. - -"GIT OUT OF THIS HEAR VALLEY BEFOR IT IS TOO LATE." - -Jack carried it outside to show to the others. - -"Walz never left this," he said. "That fellow who tried to smoke us out -last night must have printed it." - -"He's an unfriendly coot," Warner observed. "It's a mystery how he -manages to live here." - -Ken said he had seen no one near the cabin while the others had been -searching for the caches. Nevertheless, he had been absent himself for -half an hour. It was during this period, they decided, that the fellow -had sneaked out of the woods to leave the warning message. - -After another frugal meal of fish and berries, everyone except Warner -turned in for the night. He insisted upon keeping watch until midnight. -At that hour, Mr. Livingston relieved him. It was nearing dawn when Jack -awoke to see the Scout leader dozing by the fire. - -"It's my turn now," he volunteered. - -Mr. Livingston reluctantly permitted him to take over the watch. Jack -sat a while with only his dreary thoughts for company. In his mind's -eye, he tried to reconstruct the treasure map as first he had seen it in -Rocking Horse. - -Definitely, he recalled that the two caches of gold had been close to -each other at the mouth of a ravine. But the years might have wrought -changes in the terrain. Wind and rain and rock slides could have altered -the area. - -For that matter, with the valley inhabited, might not the gold long ago -have been removed? - -Jack's thoughts rambled back to his last talk with Stony in the -hospital. Then he had seriously doubted that the prospector had found -gold in this remote valley. Now that he was here, he had gradually begun -to believe that the tale had been true. - -The grave and marker with John Warner's name indicated that Stony had -indeed lost his partner in Headless Hollow. Mystery still shrouded the -death. Restlessly, Jack rose and walked to the window. The sky was -beginning to lighten. Very soon the sun would be up. - -He built up the fire. Noticing that the supply of wood was low, he took -the axe and went for more. He chopped a dead jackpine, stacking the -pieces near the cabin door. - -As he went down to the lake for water, he thought he heard mocking -laughter from amid the willows. But he could see no one, and when he -halted to listen, there was no further sound. He continued to the -water's edge and stooped to fill the vessel. Some instinct warned him. -He still had heard no sound but, without knowing why, he whirled -suddenly. - -A dark figure loomed behind him. He caught a blurred impression of an -aged face as he ducked. - -A heavy object struck him a glancing blow on the side of his head. -Senses reeling, he staggered crazily backward into the water as wild -laughter rang in his ears. - -Dazed as he was, he realized his opponent had struck him with the butt -of Warner's stolen gun. And now the crazed fellow was pointing it at -him, laughing idiotically! - -Off balance from the stunning blow, Jack let himself collapse into the -lake. Then, fearful his assailant would fire, or hurl a rock at him if -he emerged, he dived deeper. - -Holding his breath, he went down into the chilly depths until he struck -sand, and then he swam underwater. When his lungs screamed for air, he -cautiously rose to the surface. Raising his nose and mouth just above -water, he gazed toward shore. - -At first the wild creature who had assaulted him so viciously was -nowhere to be seen. But as Jack scanned the shore, he saw the dark -figure retreating as stealthily as he had come. He was a bent, twisted -man who moved with cat-like tread over the rocks toward a distant -ravine. - -Scrambling out on shore, Jack ran to the cabin. He met Craig Warner, who -only that moment had dressed. - -"You fell in the lake!" Warner exclaimed, staring at him. - -Jack related what had happened and added: "The fellow who attacked me is -as crazy as this mountain! He headed for the far ravine." - -"I'm going after him," Warner said. - -Jack would not allow the rancher to trail the old man alone. Without -taking time to change his wet clothes, he guided Warner in the direction -his attacker had taken. - -The sky was rapidly brightening. At the edge of the ravine they caught -their first glimpse of the old man. He wore moccasins and moved with -amazing swiftness over the rough terrain. - -"Unless I'm mistaken, he'll lead us to Old Stony's gold," Warner -whispered. "Our best bet is to keep out of sight." - -Agile as a monkey, the old fellow scrambled over the rocks with the -energy of a much younger man. He came at last, as the rancher predicted, -to a pit opening that was covered by brush. - -Not even glancing about, the man pulled the debris aside and dropped out -of view. - -"It's a mine, all right," Warner declared as he and Jack crouched behind -the bushes, waiting. - -"Stony's caches of ore must be somewhere close," Jack whispered. - -Warner nodded. "Probably, unless this daffy old fellow has moved them. -He has certainly been living here a long while, Jack." - -By this time the sun was up, and Jack's wet clothing had begun to dry a -little. But he remained cold, uncomfortable, and drowsy. He craved -action. - -"Shouldn't we try to find out what's doing down in that mine?" he urged. - -"Patience, Jack." - -"He may stay down in that hole all day!" - -"He'll come out sooner or later. We'd be crazy to go after him, Jack. -Remember, he has a gun." - -"I know," Jack conceded with a sigh. "It's hard to wait, though. What's -he doing down there, anyhow? Counting his gold?" - -"Digging it, more than likely." - -Jack's tired eyes sparkled. "You think we've stumbled onto Old Stony's -source of gold?" - -"We've found something," Warner grunted. "But don't forget, Colorado is -thick with abandoned mines--most of 'em worthless." - -As the sun rose higher, Jack became convinced the old fellow would never -reappear. He was half asleep, when Warner unexpectedly nudged him. Then -he came awake with a start. - -The old man could be seen backing awkwardly out of the pit hole. - -In the bright daylight, he looked like a grotesque creature with long, -windblown white hair and a straggling, dirty-white beard. - -But Jack was not inclined to chuckle. The old fellow had an intensity of -purpose which was frightening. He was chattering to himself, but the -only word the listening pair could distinguish was: "Gold." - -Then, as they watched, the old man turned his half-glazed eyes toward -the bush where they crouched. In that instant Warner obtained his first -direct look at the withered, weather-tanned face. - -"Well, what d'you know!" he whispered. "It's Joe Hansart!" - - - - - Chapter 22 - TRAPPED - - -The gaunt man who had crawled from the mine pit did not see them -crouching in the dense thicket. He stood facing them, however, a -revolver dangling carelessly at his belt. He was a grotesque, powerfully -built fellow amazingly agile, and he was wearing a ragged, red-wool -shirt and an open, tattered leather jacket. - -As Jack and the rancher watched, Joe Hansart wheeled and trotted off -over the rocks in the general direction of the pass. - -"We missed our chance to nab him," Jack said, emerging. - -"Yes, but he has my gun, and it's probably loaded," Warner replied. "If -he sees us he may shoot. The poor old fellow seems completely off his -rocker." - -"You know him?" - -"Not very well, but he's Joe Hansart." - -"Is he the prospector you mentioned at your ranch?" - -"Yes. Years ago I saw him a few times." - -"Didn't you tell us at the ranch that he had set out for this hollow and -vanished?" - -"Yes," the rancher answered. "So far as I know, Joe hasn't been seen in -Elks Creek for years." - -"But how has he managed to live?" - -Warner shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe he makes trips out, though not to -Elks Creek. Probably he stashes food for the winter. In the summer, a -man of his ingenuity could get along on very little." - -"But why would he stay here year after year?" - -"Evidently he's been seized with gold fever, Jack, and it has twisted -his brain." - -"You think he's found Old Stony's caches?" - -"I suspect so, Jack. Perhaps he has even stumbled onto a rich vein in -that pit mine. Let's find out." - -Making certain the old prospector had not doubled back on his trail, the -two dropped down into the hole. - -The mine was a shallow one, bolstered with crudely cut timber. Water -dripped from above, making the floor slippery and slimy. Warner's -flashlight came to rest on a box of dynamite. - -"Watch it!" he advised sharply, as Jack would have investigated. "That -stuff's old--and dangerous." - -A little farther on they came to a pile of mined ore. Warner picked up -one of the chunks of rock, studying the dull-looking metal under the -flashlight. - -"This looks like rich stuff!" he exclaimed. "It's hand sorted!" - -"Then Stony was right!" Jack cried. "He did find a fortune, only to lose -it." - -"Hard to tell until the stuff is assayed, but this ore looks rich to me. -Almost pure gold, Jack." - -"And there's a lot of it! Piles and piles! Old Joe Hansart must have -been mining it here for years." - -Warner went on to a second and third pile of ore, but his enthusiasm -began to die. - -"What's wrong?" Jack demanded, puzzled by the rancher's change of -attitude. "Isn't it gold, after all?" - -"It's gold, all right." - -"But not quality stuff?" - -"Well, it's hard to tell much just by looking at it, Jack. That first -pile of hand-sorted stuff was rich--no question about it. But this--" -Warner dropped a chunk of ore contemptuously. - -"It's worthless?" - -"I wouldn't say that. I'm no expert. It's easy to see, though, that's -it's not the same rich ore as that first pile." - -"Even so, there's a lot of it," Jack said optimistically. - -"Oh, that one pile might be worth thousands," Craig Warner replied. "And -it's available to anybody who hauls it out." - -"Why do you suppose Joe Hansart hasn't done it?" Jack speculated. - -"Two reasons probably: one, he hasn't wanted anyone to know of his -discovery; two, ore is heavy." - -"You figure Hansart never filed a claim?" - -"I doubt it, Jack. If he had, word would have swept this section of -country like a prairie fire. He's probably panned enough pure gold from -the lake to keep him in supplies. Meanwhile, he has stayed on here -alone, enlarging the mine." - -A short distance further into the pit, they came to a tunnel opening -which had been half covered with debris. Pulling the brush aside, Warner -ran the beam of his light over the rough wall. - -"This seems to be where Hansart has done his most recent work," he -observed. "You can see the vein. But it's thin--played out." - -"Then this is only another worthless mine?" - -"I couldn't pass judgment on such a brief inspection," Warner returned. -"Besides, as I say, I'm not an expert." - -"But it doesn't look too promising to you?" - -"Frankly, it doesn't, Jack. I don't want to build up your hopes, only to -have them collapse." - -"Oh, I hadn't figured on cashing in on this trip except in fun and -experience," Jack rejoined cheerfully. - -"There's gold here," Warner said soberly. "These days, though, it takes -capital--lots of it--to operate any mine profitably. Headless Hollow is -hard to get at. So to make it worth while, the vein would have to be -exceedingly rich." - -They went on to the end of the narrow tunnel. - -"In my opinion the vein was better near the surface," Craig Warner said, -as he and Jack turned back. "It's one of those freak things. Old Stony -thought he had made a rich find. He must have found ore that would be -worth maybe twenty to fifty thousand dollars in the present market. But -the streak seemingly plays out." - -"Mightn't it pick up again somewhere in the valley?" Jack suggested -hopefully. - -"Yes. But if in all these years Joe Hansart hasn't improved on this -site, I doubt there's any bonanza here." - -"The lure of gold, though, has held him here." - -"True," Warner agreed. "And there's the tragedy of it. Poor Joe! I don't -know what's to be done about him. He's dangerous in his present state of -mind, and it won't be easy to help him." - -"He already regards me as Enemy No. 1," Jack said with a rueful chuckle. -"My head still aches from that crack he gave me on the head." - -"Joe's probably afraid we're here to steal his gold." - -"I suppose so. He must have been the one who stole our food at the ghost -town. And he must be the one who put up that animal skeleton at the -entrance to the pass." - -"Except for Joe, this valley must have been uninhabited for years," -Warner said thoughtfully. "Prospectors who drifted this way always got -into trouble--minor accidents, food disappearing." - -"Hansart must have been behind it all!" - -"He certainly wasn't suspected, Jack. But what we've seen today -convinces me--" - -"No search ever was made for him?" - -"None that I recall, Jack. You see, Joe was a queer one, even as a young -man. The lone-wolf type. He had no relatives anyone ever heard about. -When he'd vanish for a year or so at a time, no one thought anything of -it. Then finally the story grew that he'd disappeared on a prospecting -trip into this valley." - -"He must have lived in that wreck of a cabin we took over--the one built -by your father and Old Stony." - -"Yes," Warner agreed. "I'd guess that gold ore we found at the mine -entrance--the good stuff--came from the original cache and poor old Joe -stored it in here." - -"Probably he keeps pretty close watch of this mine," Jack remarked, a -note of uneasiness in his voice. "How long have we been down here, -anyhow?" - -"Too long." - -"Let's get out," Jack urged, starting over the rough, uneven tunnel -floor. - -Warner's flashlight guided them to the main opening into the mine. - -"It must still be pretty dark outside," Jack remarked, mystified because -no daylight filtered down. "A fellow can't see an inch ahead of his -face." - -He groped on up the rough steps in the rock. But where the exit to the -mine should have been, his hand encountered first a mass of brush, and -then solid rock. - -"Something's wrong!" he muttered. "This can't be the way we came." - -"Sure, it is," Warner insisted, pressing close behind him. "This mine is -a simple affair. No offshoots. Here, let me have a look." - -His light beam swept the mine exit. - -Both the rancher and Jack drew in their breath sharply. - -The opening through which they had entered a few minutes before was now -blocked. They were trapped in the mine! - - - - - Chapter 23 - ESCAPE - - -Jack's first thought was that a rock slide had dammed up the mine -entrance. Sober reflection, however, told him that such was not the -case. - -Obviously, someone had quietly shoved a great boulder across the narrow -opening. - -"Joe Hansart!" he exclaimed. "He must have seen us come in here." - -"We're trapped, all right," Warner muttered. - -He and Jack applied their shoulders and heaved with all their strength. -They could move the rock a trifle, but not enough to shift it from its -position. - -"Other rocks have been piled on top," Warner gasped. - -Once more the pair worked and heaved in unison, but without the -slightest success. - -Exhausted, they sank back against the rock wall to consider their -desperate plight. Soon they would be missed at the cabin. That was -certain. But it was doubtful Ken or Mr. Livingston would pick up their -trail to this remote ravine until many hours, perhaps days had passed. - -Meanwhile, they were without food or water. And Joe Hansart might lie in -wait for any rescuers and attack them as he had attacked Jack. - -"Crazy coot!" Warner exclaimed. "He's outwitted us. We became so intent -on exploring the mine that we forgot everything else." - -"Listen!" Jack directed suddenly. - -He was certain he had heard a scratching sound on the huge rock above -their heads. - -"Maybe it's Joe Hansart piling on more stones!" he muttered. - -Together, the trapped pair shouted. At once the scraping sound ceased. - -"Someone's out there," Warner decided. "It must be Joe. Maybe if we can -convince him we don't want any of his gold, he'll relent and let us -out." - -They shouted, but only their own voices echoed weirdly back in the pit. -Desperately, they shoved again at the rock barrier. This time they -succeeded in dislodging enough of the loose debris to permit a little -daylight to filter down. - -As they nursed their bruised hands, they heard harsh laughter. - -"Joe, listen to reason!" Warner bellowed at him. "We don't want your -stupid gold." - -"No?" asked a mocking voice. - -Warner and Jack stiffened. - -"That's Walz!" the latter identified him. "Not Hansart!" - -For a fleeting instant, the two prisoners took heart. They thought they -would be able to reason with the motel owner. - -"Listen!" Warner shouted to him. "There must have been a rock slide. -Help us get out of here!" - -"And why should I do that?" the motel owner asked in the same mocking -tone. "You won't make any trouble where you are now!" - -"Have you lost your senses?" Warner stormed. - -"Quite the contrary," Walz rejoined, plainly enjoying his triumph. -"You've both been a pain in my neck ever since I set eyes on you. Now -you get what you deserve." - -"What's the idea blocking the exit?" Warner demanded. "What's your -game?" - -"My game? Only a little device to gain time. It was your bad luck that -you stumbled onto the vein." - -"The vein--" Warner started to explode, then held his tongue. - -"Oh, I saw you sneak into the mine after the old man went away," Walz -rattled on. - -"You've been down here yourself?" - -"I have," the motel owner admitted. His voice carried plainly to the -pair below, for he was close to the opening between the rocks. "I found -the gold ore, and I have samples now in my pack." - -"What are you aiming to do with 'em?" - -"I'll have them assayed. But first I'm staking out a claim to this -section of the valley." - -"Sure someone hasn't beaten you to it?" - -"This is unclaimed valley--the entire hollow. Ranier told me so. That -dirty, low-down scamp deserted me. I'll get even with him when I get -back to Elks Creek." - -"Listen," Warner said in exasperation, "you've had your little joke. Now -let us out of here. We can't raise that rock from below, but you can -roll it aside." - -"Maybe I can, but I'm not going to do it," Walz retorted coolly. "You -trailed me to Headless Hollow, but you're not going to beat me filing a -claim." - -"Who wants to file one, you stupid ox?" - -"You!" the motel owner accused. "I've risked everything to get this -gold. Nothing is going to stop me now. Nothing!" - -"You're welcome to the gold--whatever you can find," Warner said -wearily. "Just let us out." - -"Never." - -At first, the trapped pair had not believed that the motel owner -seriously meant to keep them confined below, but his intention could no -longer be doubted. - -"Walz, pay close attention," Warner pleaded. "I came to this place -largely to see the grave of my father. The gold--if there was -any--didn't mean too much to me." - -"That's a lie!" - -"It means everything to you, but you have the wrong slant. Unless I'm -mistaken, this mine would never pay well enough to interest a company. -Old Stony gathered some rich ore, it's true. He died without knowing -that the vein wasn't extensive." - -"You're wasting your breath," Walz retorted. "Talk till you're blue in -the face. It won't move me. I have my samples of gold, and I'm hitting -the trail!" - -"Walz--" - -There was no answer. The two prisoners realized that he had carried out -his threat and left. They were indeed trapped in the mine. - -"Hap and Ken will start searching any minute now," Jack said, trying to -remain cheerful. "If they come this way, they may see that pile of -rock." - -"And again they may not," Warner grunted. "We may never be found until -it's too late. Walz is a blackguard, if I ever met one! Like as not, -even after he's filed his claim he won't send anyone." - -"There's always Joe Hansart. He'll be coming back." - -"Yeah," Warner agreed, "our best hope probably lies with him. But the -old coot may stay away for days. Meanwhile, we can get pretty fed up in -this hole." - -The two sat down, their backs to the rough wall. Jack's clothing had -only partially dried after his ducking in the lake, so he was damp and -uncomfortable. - -"We've got to get out of here," Warner said determinedly. "You'll get -pneumonia, if we don't." - -"No exit except this one?" - -"The tunnel ended against a blank wall. I checked that." - -"If Walz could push that stone into place alone, the two of us ought to -be able to shove it away." - -"We're pushing against gravity, Jack. He rolled it down the incline. -Besides, once he got it into place, he piled on other rocks and debris. -We're caught like two animals in a cage." - -Suddenly Jack straightened as a thought occurred to him. - -"That dynamite!" he suggested. "Any chance we could blast our way out of -here?" - -"Maybe we could!" the rancher exclaimed. "It would be risky business, -though. Old dynamite, especially, is dangerous to handle." - -"A tiny charge would turn the trick." - -"Sure," Warner grinned, "providing we aren't both blown to bits before -we set it off. But I'm willing to try. Anything's better than just -waiting in this hole." - -The rancher would not allow Jack to go near the stored boxes. He -insisted, "You go and take refuge in the far end of the tunnel." - -Using the utmost care, Warner placed the dynamite sticks without -accident. Breathing hard, he joined Jack after the fuse had been set. -For a full minute, they waited tensely. Nothing happened. - -"The stuff is dead," Jack declared. - -"Maybe not," Warner said. "It was a long fuse. Wait." - -They waited. Suddenly the tunnel was rocked by a terrific explosion. As -they hit the earth, covering their faces, small bits of rock showered -down. When the dust had cleared, they groped their way back to the -entrance. Climbing up through the debris, they saw daylight. Warner -squeezed out through the tumbled rocks, and reached down to help Jack. - -"We're free and still in one piece," the rancher chuckled. - -Setting out from the ravine, they started for the cabin. However, they -had covered less than a third of the distance when they saw Hap -Livingston and Ken coming toward them at a run. - -"What happened?" Ken demanded, as he glimpsed the dirt-streaked faces -and disheveled clothing of the two. "We heard an explosion!" - -Tersely, Jack and the rancher related their harrowing experience in the -mine. - -"Now Walz is streaking for Elks Creek!" Warner ended the account. "He's -on a fool's chase, in my opinion. I could be wrong." - -"Shouldn't we try to head him off?" Jack proposed eagerly. "He's not had -too big a start." - -"It won't take long to sling our equipment together," Ken added. "Maybe -we can overtake him. We have a score to settle, regardless of the gold!" - -"It may not be necessary," Warner advised quietly. - - - - - Chapter 24 - A FIGHT - - -His words were mystifying. Then the other three noticed that the rancher -had turned his gaze toward the distant pass which guarded Headless -Hollow. Far above them, on the high cliffs, they saw two struggling men. - -"Walz and Joe Hansart!" Jack exclaimed. "They're fighting." - -The watchers below were too far away to see the struggle plainly. It was -apparent, though, what had happened. Evidently Walz had attempted to -leave the valley with his sack of sample gold, and Joe Hansart had -caught him. Now the two were locked in a death struggle. As the -Explorers watched in horror, the two men fought close to the edge of the -cliffs. - -"They'll kill each other, if we don't stop them!" Mr. Livingston -exclaimed. - -At a run, he and the others started for the pass. - -The trail, such as it was, wound in a gradual climb. Jack and Ken tried -the steeper, direct route. Even so, they were less than a third of the -way up to the cliff when they heard a hoarse, frightened shout. - -Joe Hansart, despite his age, had overpowered his adversary. Inch by -inch, he crowded him to the edge of the precipice. Walz rocked back and -forth on the ledge, fighting for his life. Beneath him yawned the chasm. - -The end of that desperate struggle was inevitable. - -Walz' boot went over the slanting rock. He tried wildly to regain a -foothold, but could not. As he fell, he held fast to the old man, -pulling him along. - -Locked in each other's arms, the two men fell to a ledge fifteen or -twenty feet below. There they struck bushes which in part broke their -fall. Then over and over they rolled, to the bottom of the long slope. - -"What an end!" Ken gasped, shuddering. - -Peering over the cliff, Jack saw Walz move one of his hands. It revived -his hope that the motel owner at least might have survived the long -drop. - -"Quick!" he cried. "A rope!" - -Ken went as fast as he could back to the cabin. Without waiting, Jack -scrambled down the steep slope. - -He lost his footing almost at once and rolled. He managed to break the -fall with his hands, and brought himself to a stop, unhurt, not far from -the two injured men. - -Joe Hansart, he saw at a glance, was the more seriously injured. The old -man lay in a crumpled heap, bleeding from a head wound. Walz was -conscious, though in a state of semi-shock. - -"Help me," he whimpered. "Help me. My leg is broken." - -Ignoring Walz for the moment, Jack checked Joe Hansart's bleeding. The -wound was superficial. The old man, however, was pale, and his lips were -blue. His pulse was weak and rapid. He drew breath irregularly and with -difficulty. - -"Take it easy," Jack advised. "Help is on the way." - -He moved the old man so that his head lay downhill. He was relieved to -see that this position restored Joe's color a trifle and improved his -pulse, but he saw that the prospector was quivering from shock and -chill. Stripping off his jacket, he covered the old man. - -Leaving him for the moment, he turned his attention to the whimpering -motel owner. - -"I'm dying," Walz moaned. "The pain is horrible. Do something!" - -It was plain to see that the motel owner's left leg was broken. -Possibly, too, he had suffered some internal injuries. Jack, however, -was inclined to doubt it, for Walz, now that he had partially recovered -from the stunning impact, was becoming talkative. - -"Don't move," Jack advised the moaning fellow. "Lie still until we can -splint that leg." - -Walz, disregarding the order, tried to pull himself to a sitting -position. The effort brought new pain. - -"That fool has done for me," he moaned. "I'll never get back to Elks -Creek." - -"After the way you left Warner and me trapped in the mine, you don't -deserve any help," Jack said. "We ought to leave you here to suffer." - -His words were not meant to be serious. Walz nevertheless considered -them so. - -"Don't leave me here," he begged. "I can't walk a step. I'd never get -back to Elks Creek alive. You must help me!" - -"And if we do?" - -"I'll give you a share of the gold," Walz whispered. "I swear it. I did -wrong to take the map." - -"What about the way you left us in the mine?" - -"I meant to send help to you as soon as I reached Elks Creek," Walz -mumbled. - -Jack had his own opinion on this matter, but he let it pass. - -"You wanted the gold from the very first," he said. "It was you, wasn't -it, who broke into Old Stony's cabin back in Rocking Horse? You beat him -when he woke up and found you trying to steal the map!" - -The motel owner's lips trembled, for he was not willing to answer. - -"And it was you," Jack went on, "who stole Stony's nuggets from the bag -of pinto beans. If you want any help, admit the truth." - -"Am I going to die?" Walz asked, his voice quavering. - -"You're miles from a doctor," Jack reminded him. "Unless we can get help -to you, the situation is bad." - -"I'm going to die," Walz groaned. "I--I may as well tell you the truth -and get it off my conscience." - -"You slugged Old Stony?" - -"It was an accident. I went to the cabin, hoping to get the map--yes, I -admit that. The old man woke up and tried to stop me. I flew into a rage -and hit him. Then I ran." - -"Old Stony never knew it was you who tried to rob him," Jack said. "You -can be thankful for that." - -"I felt terrible about it," Walz sobbed. "I didn't mean to hurt Stony. -Why, I liked the old duffer. I gave him a good home. I fed and clothed -him." - -"It was the thought of gold that turned you against him." - -"And I found the gold too," Walz whispered. "It meant to me more than -anything else. Now I've lost everything." - -By this time Mr. Livingston and Warner had reached the site of the -accident. Ken soon came with the rope and first-aid supplies. - -While Mr. Livingston made a splint for Walz' leg, the others improvised -a stretcher. They bound Joe Hansart to it, and by dint of great labor -and ingenuity they finally carried him down to the valley floor and from -there to the cabin. - -Meanwhile, the Scout leader had made Walz fairly comfortable. Gradually, -as it dawned upon the motel owner that he might not die, he lapsed into -sullen silence. - -It was only after he too had been transported to the cabin that he began -to deny his previous statements. - -"I was out of my head," he muttered to Jack. "If I said anything about -harming Old Stony, it was the bunk. I don't have any idea who broke into -his cabin at Rocking Horse." - -Jack and his friends avoided discussing the subject further. Once they -reached a town, they intended to turn Walz over to the authorities. To -get out of the valley, however, was their first problem. - -"We're in a bad spot," Warner admitted, drawing the others aside for a -serious conference. "Both of those men need a doctor." - -"Hansart, especially," Mr. Livingston added. "He has scarcely opened his -eyes since we got him here. We need food and medical supplies." - -"There's only one thing to do," Warner decided. "Something has happened -to the Forest Service plane, I'm afraid. I'll start right away for Elks -Creek. The only thing--I hate to leave you alone here with two injured -men." - -"We'll make out," the Scout leader assured him. "Wait a few hours, -though, before you start. If I know Willie and War, they won't let us -down." - -Ken and Jack set out the signal cloth near the lake, hoping that any -pilot flying that way would see it. Several hours elapsed. - -The day was clear, with very little wind. Conditions were nearly perfect -for flying, yet no plane appeared over the mountains. - -"Something must have happened to Willie and War," Mr. Livingston -declared, pacing nervously up and down. "Otherwise, help would have -reached us by now." - -"They've had plenty of time to get through," Warner agreed. "To wait and -hope any longer is foolish." - -Without further discussion, he gathered his gear together. Jack and Ken -walked with him toward the trail to the pass. - -"I'll make as fast a trip as I can," he promised. - -A bright glare was on the jagged mountain peaks. Staring toward the -pass, Jack thought he saw a small moving speck in the sky. He rubbed his -eyes. Imagination, he told himself, for he had given up hope that the -plane would come. - -Then Ken let out an excited shout. He too had seen the moving object -against the dark mountainside. - -"It's coming this way!" Craig Warner cried, dropping his pack. - -For a few brief moments, the trio watched anxiously. Would the plane -turn back as it had done on the previous occasion? - -Warner finally identified it: "It's a Forest Service ship, with -pontoons. Boys, I think it's heading straight for the lake." - -Fearful that the pilot might miss the cabin area or falsely conclude -that no one remained there, the three made all haste back to the lake. - -By the time they arrived there, breathless from running, the roar of the -powerful engines could be heard distinctly. Hap Livingston had come -hurrying out of the cabin. Anxiously the four waited, waving their arms. - -Their signals were unnecessary. As the plane made a practice run, the -watchers knew that help had arrived. In fact, as the Forest Service ship -dropped closer, Jack was able to recognize War and Willie riding with -the pilot. - -Again the plane circled. Down fluttered a parachute with packages of -food attached. It hit the ground about a hundred feet from where the -Scouts stood. Ken and Jack ran to retrieve it. - -"This will be a help," Ken declared jubilantly. "But we need -medicines--and a doctor." - -Working fast, Mr. Livingston and Craig Warner ripped up the signal cloth -into two flags. These the Scout leader attached to sticks. With the -improvised wigwag device, he then began sending the message: - -"TWO MEN BADLY HURT. NEED MORE HELP." - -Over and over, he repeated the message. Whether or not the flags could -be correctly interpreted from above, those on the ground had no way of -knowing. The plane, however, kept circling. Finally, the pilot dipped -the wings in signal. - -"They got it!" Ken cried. - -The watchers expected the plane to turn and head back toward its base. -Instead, it kept circling. - -"The pilot is going to try a landing on the lake!" - -Warner exclaimed. "He can get in, all right, but will he ever be able to -take off again?" - -The seaplane came in low, skimmed above the willows, and made a smooth -landing. Jack, Ken, and the two men waded out to meet their rescuers. - -"You read my wigwag!" Mr. Livingston exclaimed, embracing first Willie -and then War, who splashed out into the shallow water. - -"Couldn't get a reading except on one word--'HELP'," Willie admitted. -"We knew something was really wrong, though, so we risked a landing." - -"Why did you turn back on your first trip here?" Ken demanded. - -"Engine trouble," War explained briefly. "Just as we came in sight of -the pass, we had to turn and go back to the base. What's wrong here?" - -"Quite a bit," Mr. Livingston replied. "We have two men on our -hands--both badly hurt. We ought to get them to a hospital without -delay." - -After the seaplane had been anchored so that a wayward wind would not -dash it against rocks, the group went into serious conference. - -The pilot, Dave Fallouby, was confident he could get his ship into the -air again, if it was not too heavily loaded. However, he could safely -carry only three passengers. It was decided that Walz, Hansart, and Mr. -Livingston should make the return flight with him, and that the four -Scouts with Craig Warner would go back to Elks Creek afoot by easy -stages. - -Accordingly, the two injured men were carried by stretcher and propped -with blankets as comfortably as possible in the plane. Mr. Livingston -was the last to climb aboard. - -"We'll rendezvous at the Elks Creek Hotel," he said. "Take it easy, -boys, on the trail." - -Nervously, the four Scouts and Craig Warner watched as the pilot stepped -up the motors. The lake was small. If Dave failed to gather speed -rapidly, he might crash into the rocks or willows. - -With a mighty roar, the seaplane ploughed through the waves. Its -pontoons lifted slightly, only to drop again into the water. - -"Too heavily loaded!" Willie groaned. - -"Dave will make it," Warner said confidently. - -A moment later the plane cleared the water. It skimmed along barely -above the lake for a distance. - -"Climb--climb!" Jack muttered, his fists clenched. - -The plane cleared the rocks at the far end of the lake. Everyone took a -deep, relieved breath. - -Twice the ship circled after attaining safe altitude. Mr. Livingston -waved to reassure the Scouts that all was well. Then the plane headed -over the blue mountains and soon was lost in the distance. - - - - - Chapter 25 - RENDEZVOUS - - -Jack sprawled on the hotel bed, munching an apple. The Elks Creek weekly -newspaper was spread before him, but he had not been reading. - -"Hap and Craig Warner are an hour overdue," he complained, looking at -his watch. "Why don't they get here?" - -"Because they've been held up at the hospital," Ken replied calmly. -"Easy, boy! You've been fretting all morning." - -Jack rolled off the bed. Going restlessly to the window, he gazed down -on the street below. It was nearly deserted, and there was no sign of -either the Scout leader or the rancher. - -"Joe Hansart is in a bad way," Willie contributed from the other side of -the room. "That's why they sent for Warner and Hap." - -"I know," Jack acknowledged. "I ought to be patient. It's just that I'm -eager for news." - -Late the previous night, the four Scouts and their guide had reached the -hotel. The long hike over the mountains had been exhausting, if -uneventful. Nevertheless, even War and Willie had stood the hard trip -surprisingly well. A good night's rest and a hearty breakfast had -revived everyone. - -Very early, both Mr. Livingston and Mr. Warner had been called to the -hospital. The Scouts had received no word from them since their hurried -departure. - -To kill time, the Explorers began mapping out the route they would take -on the remainder of the trip back to Belton City. For the first time -since they had left their homes weeks before, they eagerly looked -forward to returning. - -"Route 52 looks the best to me," Ken said, marking it with a red pencil. -"To be sure, though, we'll have to check at the first Automobile Club -office." - -Footsteps were heard outside the hotel room. Instantly, the Scouts lost -interest in the map. The door opened, and both Mr. Livingston and Craig -Warner came in. Looking tired, the two men sat down. - -The Scout leader said, "Joe Hansart is dead." - -"Dead!" Jack repeated sadly. - -Mr. Livingston nodded. "Pneumonia," he explained briefly. "The doctors -did everything possible, but not even the miracle drugs could save him." - -"Did he die without recovering his senses?" Willie asked in a low voice. - -"No," the Scout leader answered. "At the end he was quite clear in his -mind. That was why the hospital officials sent for us." - -"Did the old man tell you anything?" War demanded. - -"We learned everything," Craig Warner said, taking up the story. "It's a -bit fantastic, but understandable if you know Joe's type as I do. As a -very young man, he chanced upon the Headless Hollow area." - -"About the time Old Stony and your father found gold there?" Jack -commented. - -"Yes, even as a young man, Joe wasn't right in his mind. He suffered -hallucinations and had obsessions. To make it short, poor Joe thought -that the valley and the gold belonged to him and that my father and -Stony were intruders. He spied on them and even shot my father. Then he -fled." - -"Did Hansart himself make that confession?" Ken demanded. - -"Yes, and I think it's the truth," the rancher replied. "As I said, -Joe's mind was clear at the end. I doubt if Joe ever knew Old Stony was -blamed for my father's death." - -"What about the caches of gold?" War interposed eagerly. - -"Joe found them. He moved the ore to the mouth of the mine. Over the -years, at remote places, he sold just enough to keep him in supplies. -You see, he thought he had found one of the richest mines in the state -and was afraid word would leak out." - -"Didn't he ever file a claim?" Ken inquired. - -"He filed several, but improperly. As soon as we hit town, I checked on -that. I've filed one of my own now. Not that it matters much." - -"The mine is worthless?" - -"Not entirely so," the rancher replied. "A man could make a hard living -there, perhaps. Only the hand-picked ore left by Old Stony and my father -has real value. The rest assays too low to make commercial mining -profitable." - -"What of the ore itself?" Jack asked thoughtfully. "Isn't it worth -anything?" - -"Roughly, I figure it ought to net from $10,000 to $40,000, depending on -transportation costs. Whatever it tallies, I'll give you boys your -share." - -"We've already had our share," Mr. Livingston said with a smile. "The -gold never interested us as much as the adventure." - -"Even so, cash is handy to have," the rancher insisted. "You could use -another vacation next year, couldn't you?" - -"We're always r'arin' to go!" War chuckled. - -"If I have luck getting the ore out, I'll send you a check," Warner -promised. "Nothing spectacular. Enough, though, to pay you for your lost -equipment--and for a vacation next summer." - -"What will you do with your share?" Jack asked curiously. - -"Pay off the mortgage on the ranch," Warner answered. "Of course I'll -take care of Hansart's last expenses at the hospital too, and his -funeral." - -"You don't bear him any grudge, do you?" - -"No, Jack. He wasn't responsible for his actions. What a miserable life -he had!" - -"He was the one who stole our food at the ghost town, wasn't he?" Willie -speculated. - -Warner nodded. "Yes, Hansart used that place as a sort of base for -supplies he carried in. He had caches of canned food and other items -stored where he could dig them up when he wanted them. He ventured out -only when he couldn't avoid it. Even then, he never in recent years -showed up in Elks Creek. That's why everybody assumed he had died." - -"Hansart, of course, was responsible for the area's bad reputation," Mr. -Livingston added. "He considered the valley--the cabin--the -gold--everything--his. He drove off everyone who ventured that way." - -"What of Walz?" Ken asked presently. "Did you talk to him again?" - -"Only briefly," Mr. Livingston returned. "He is in a savage mood." - -"Recovering?" - -"Oh, yes. He'll be as well as ever, once his leg mends. Naturally, he -denies everything." - -"It will do him no good," Warner interposed. "I've talked to the -sheriff. A guard is being posted at his hospital room." - -"Then he'll be returned to Rocking Horse?" - -"At the state's expense," Warner chuckled. "He'll have to stand trial -for manslaughter in the death of Old Stony. Perhaps he can convince a -jury the attack was unintentional. I seriously doubt it." - -That night, the entire party had a big dinner in the hotel at Craig -Warner's expense. He introduced them to town officials and many of his -friends. - -"If this keeps on, we'll begin to think we're more important than a bank -president!" War protested. "Anyway, I'll be glad to pull out of here -tomorrow morning." - -The Explorers expected to rise at dawn, slip quietly out of the hotel, -and be on their way. Therefore, it came as a surprise the next morning, -when they found Craig Warner waiting for them beside their car. - -"Nice day for traveling," he drawled. "Reckon I'll drive a piece with -you, to show you the first fork in the road." - -The rancher drove ahead through the sleepy little town and into the -hills. A blue haze hung over the distant mountains. A few miles out of -Elks Creek, Warner pulled up, and the Scout automobile drew alongside. - -"Take the road to the left," the rancher said, indicating it with a wave -of his hand. "The highway is paved all the way." - -Gravely he shook hands with Mr. Livingston and each of the Scouts in -turn. Then his eyes roved toward the high peaks, behind which Headless -Hollow lay hidden. - -"By the way," he said casually, "I forgot to tell you. We're changing -the name of Crazy Mountain." - -"Changing it?" Jack repeated. - -"Yes, from now on it will be known hereabouts as Old Stony." - -The Scouts were silent, thinking it over. Jack turned to gaze toward the -faraway mountain top, magnificent in the colored dawn. - -"Old Stony," he said, his voice husky. "I like it. So would he. You -know, fellows, that mountain couldn't have a more appropriate name." - - - - - Transcriber's Notes - - ---Copyright notice provided as in the original--this e-text is public - domain in the country of publication. - ---Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and - dialect unchanged. - ---Provided a new cover image for free and unrestricted use with this - eBook. - ---In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the - HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.) - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Boy Scout Explorers at Headless Hollow, by -Don Palmer and Mildred A. 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