It took but a few seconds for all three lads to hurry around to the kitchen.
“He isn’t here!” announced Bob, peering in.
“Yes, there he is, lying under the table!” cried Ned. “And he’s been hurt, too! Look at the blood!”
There were some spots of red on the floor near the head of the Chinese, and the kitchen showed signs of a struggle. A vague spirit of uneasiness and fear was overshadowing the boys. What would Tinny find at the mine?
However, the lads were not the ones to waste time in useless conjecture. The three hurried into the kitchen, and their first act was to raise Hang Gow.
“He isn’t badly hurt,” Jerry announced, running his fingers lightly over the cook’s head. “Just a scalp wound. He’s knocked out, that’s all. Get me some water, Ned.”
Hang Gow roused and opened his eyes as Tinny came running back from the mine. The work was going on quietly, and a hail to one of the men had brought the information that Cromley was not there.
Not waiting, then, to voice any of his suspicions, Tinny had hastened back to see if the boys had come upon any clews to the mystery which seemed settling down on Leftover.
“What happened?” cried Tinny, as he entered the kitchen and saw Hang Gow, blood on his face, being ministered to.
“He was knocked out. We found him unconscious under the table,” Jerry reported. “He’s coming around all right now. Maybe he can tell what it’s all about.”