Jack hesitated, ready to give argument. But he recalled Mr. Livingston’s advice that it would be wise to make a show of cooperation.
“Okay,” he agreed, turning around. “This mountain air is too chilly for comfort anyway.”
“It’s unsafe to go wandering around after dark,” Rhodes continued, walking with Jack. “Someone might misjudge your motives and take a shot at you.”
“You go about though?”
“That’s different,” the engineer answered. “I’m armed and the miners know me.”
He walked with Jack to the camp, and there left him.
“It’s useless,” Jack reported his failure to the other Scouts. “Rhodes will have this camp watched all night.”
“We may as well turn in,” Mr. Livingston advised. “Something may develop tomorrow.”
The Scouts spent a comfortable night in their sleeping bags. As they were cleaning up the next morning, Rhodes strode down the path. His quick glance noted that no preparation had been made for departure.
“You’ll be pulling out soon?” he demanded.