“At this precise moment,” confessed Wiley, “I am in no calm and placid frame of mind, therefore I am unable to answer the riddle. One thing, at least, is certain: Those gay boys have not seized your brother’s property. That should relieve your agitated mental equilibrium to a conclusive susceptibility.”
“We take chances of being seen here,” said Dick. “Let’s retire.”
They did so, but from a point of partial concealment continued to watch everything that occurred in the valley. Within an hour Morgan’s men, accompanied by the rescued ruffians, turned toward the south, which action assured the watchers that once more they were headed for the Enchanted Valley. They appropriated the horses of Curry and his two assistants, taking also the weapons of the three men, who were left a-foot and unarmed in that desolate region. The trio was warned not to follow and were further advised to make straight for Cottonwood or the nearest camp. Apparently Curry and his assistants decided this was the only course to pursue, for they turned to the north and hurried up the valley. Morgan and his men soon disappeared far away to the south.
Burning with eagerness to know the truth, Dick rode forward into the valley the moment the ruffians were beyond view. He was followed closely by Buckhart and Colvin. Cap’n Wiley remained long enough to caution Abe and Felicia to remain where they were, for, knowing nothing of Curry and his companions, Wiley fancied it possible there might be trouble of some sort.
“I will look out for Felicia,” declared little Abe, whose violin was hung over his back by a cord. “I will take care of her.”
“All right, my noble tar,” said the sailor. And then he also rode forward into the valley.
Curry and his assistants halted in some alarm when they saw four horsemen dashing swiftly toward them. As they were unarmed, they could not think of offering resistance in case the quartette proved to be enemies. Being on foot, they could not escape, and, therefore, they did the only thing possible, which was to wait for the approaching riders.
Dick was the first to reach them.
“We have been watching this whole affair,” he said. “We don’t understand it.”
“Well, we do!” growled Curry in disgust, while his companions growled likewise. “We understands that we have lost a bunch of valuable prisoners.”