Unnoticed by the Explorers, a tall man in his thirties, with a rock-like, expressionless face, had come to the open doorway. Ignoring the Scouts, he spoke directly to Stony.
“Crawl out, you lazy old buzzard! The man in No. 4 wants fresh towels.”
Stony got heavily from his chair. He made no answer, but the sparkle of life had vanished from his ruddy face.
Ill at ease, the Explorers started to leave. As if by design, the motel owner walked with them a short distance toward their camp.
“Old Stony spinning wild yarns again?” he demanded.
“He was telling us about striking gold when he was a young man,” War volunteered.
“I suppose he let you into the secret of where his precious map is hidden?”
“Why, no,” Jack spoke up. “Does he have a map?”
Jarrett Walz gave a snort. “That old goat is all talk. Everything he has, even the clothes on his back, comes from me. In exchange he gives me laziness and lies!”
“Lies?”