“What about him?”
“You’re not forgetting that he’s still missing? A prisoner probably of the bandit, Carlos?”
“Corning is nothing to me, and I don’t mind telling you so! Didn’t he set himself up here as engineer in my place? He made me look bad to the company—convinced them that I was stealing half the emeralds that were mined.”
“You weren’t, of course.”
“If I could salvage anything for myself, I’d be entitled to it,” Rhodes retorted. “I gave the best years of my life to the company for very little return. I’m fed up! I’m getting out.”
“Before you leave, why not tell us what really became of Corning?” Jack urged earnestly.
Rhodes slammed the safe door shut and turned slowly to face the Scout. For just an instant, Jack was hopeful that the engineer meant to make a full revelation of the facts. Then, the man’s mood changed again.
“I’ve told you exactly what happened,” Rhodes said shortly. “Carlos raided the place and took Corning as hostage. There’s been no ransom demand, so I assume your friend is dead.”
“Mr. Livingston never will be satisfied unless we establish the truth.”
“Let him go ahead if he wants to,” Rhodes shrugged. “Who’s stopping him?”