“When he finally climbed out of the valley he was almost as badly off as before. He traveled on, but his mind became a blank, and finally he found himself in my town. There the treatment I gave him restored his reason, and he told me his story. It was three years after his escape that I came across him, and all that while the poor people in the valley had doubtless been waiting in vain for some sign of the help he promised to bring, while he had been aimlessly wandering about, having practically forgotten his mission.
“I told him I would aid him, and when he described the valley, and how difficult it was to approach, I at once thought of an airship as the only possible means. Then, naturally, I thought of you motor boys, for I had read of your Comet. I told Mr. Loftus that he and I would set out for Cresville, see you, and get you to help us. But the day before we were to start, Mr. Loftus died. The hardships he had suffered had been too much for him. I felt very badly, but I resolved to carry out, with your help, the work he had undertaken. After seeing that he was provided with decent burial, I started for the East, intending to seek out you boys. I sent word to my son where I was going, as he was away from home. Well, this story is getting pretty long, but it will soon be finished.”
“It is intensely interesting,” observed Professor Snodgrass, who, for the first time since he had joined the boys, was not looking for specimens.
“I came East,” went on the former hermit, “and reached Cresville. There I met Noddy Nixon, and, on inquiring where you motor boys lived, was told. He wanted to know my errand, and foolishly I told him. I also said that the trip to Lost Valley might result in securing a large amount of gold, for Loftus said that his comrades had found a number of nuggets.
“That was indiscreet on my part, as I discovered later. Noddy Nixon untruthfully told me that he was a great friend of you boys, and that he owned part of the airship. He said you three were away from home just then, but that he would take me in the airship, and we would start for Lost Valley, picking you up on the way. I believed him, and, in company with another lad, whom he called Pender, we went one night to the airship shed. I thought at the time that it was rather odd to get it at night, but Noddy made some excuse.
“Well, we were admitted to the airship shed by the watchman, and I took my place in this cabin where we are now. Afterward I heard something of a struggle, but I thought little of it. We started off, and all seemed to go well, Noddy managing the airship quite skillfully. Then came the accident the next morning, and while he and Pender were discussing it, I was writing a letter to my son. From something the two boys said I learned that they had stolen the airship from you, and I resolved to go away from them at once. I tore up the letter I had written to my son, telling of the attempt I was to make to rescue the poor people of the valley, and hastily fled. Noddy tried to stop me, but I would not stay. I left them, and I have not seen them since.
“Very foolishly, I thought the ship was damaged beyond repair, and I feared you would blame me. I resolved to return home until I could see my son, and have him explain matters to you. On my way here I was robbed, and had no money for carfare. No one would believe the story I told, I could get no aid, I had lost my son’s address, and I had to tramp nearly all the way back West. I arrived home a week ago, and was visiting some friends here when I saw the airship come down.”
“Lucky for us you did,” remarked Jerry. “Now you can take us to Lost Valley.”
“Are you still determined to go?” asked Mr. Bell.