“Why–er–Wiley; Wiley Holman, you know. I followed his tracks to the Gateway. Ain’t he around here somewhere? I found this bottle─” He held up the flask that he had given to Wiley, and the Colonel started back with a cry.
“What, a tall young fellow with leather puttees?”
“Oh, yes, yes!” answered Virginia, suddenly springing to her feet again. “We followed him–isn’t he here?”
The Colonel turned slowly and glanced at the cave, where Wiley was still hiding close, and then he cleared his throat.
284“Well, kindly explain first why you should be following this gentleman, and─”
“Oh, he’s here, then!” sighed Virginia and fell into her father’s arms, at which Charley scuttled rapidly away.
“Mr. Holman,” spoke up the Colonel, as Wiley did not stir, “may I ask you to come out here and explain?”
There was a rustle inside the cave and at last Wiley came out, stuffing a strip of dried meat into his hip pocket.
“I’ll come out, yes,” he said, “but, as I’m about to go, I’ll leave it to your daughter to explain.”
He picked up his canteen and started down to the water-hole, but the Colonel called him sternly back.