“Not for ransom, in Zeph’s case,” said Adair grimly. “They know nobody would give a dollar for him.”
“I’d give everything I’ve got for him!” cried Ralph, in some heat.
“Well, now, come to think of it,” said Adair, with twinkling eyes, “I don’t know but I’d give something myself to see Zeph clear of the rascals.”
“I guess you would!” exclaimed Ralph. “Zeph will try anything once, but he is something more than a nut. He is faithful and brave and a mighty good friend!”
However, they wasted little time in discussing the fine possibilities of the situation. Ralph knew the path up the crag pretty well, and he led the way. Two of the detective police were left below with rifles to watch for any person who might appear above to obstruct the climbers.
To climb that cliff at night must have been hard work. But by daylight Ralph and his companions did not find it particularly difficult. In half an hour they approached the summit of the ascent.
On the way Ralph had made sure that the rags of garments still hanging to the brush had actually belonged to Zeph Dallas. He even found the yellow brown cap that had fallen upon a shelf of rock. At any rate, Zeph had passed this way and must have left the articles for some good and sufficient reason.
“He expected to get into trouble, or he already was in trouble,” Ralph said to Mr. Adair. “Think of him shedding his clothes in this way!”
“I have got through wondering about Zeph,” admitted the chief detective. “He is always breaking out in a new spot.”
Ralph, however, could not feel so sure that his friend was all right. As he led the way “over the top” he almost feared to find Zeph’s dead body lying on the rocks.