“It was the thought of gold that turned you against him.”
“And I found the gold too,” Walz whispered. “It meant to me more than anything else. Now I’ve lost everything.”
By this time Mr. Livingston and Warner had reached the site of the accident. Ken soon came with the rope and first-aid supplies.
While Mr. Livingston made a splint for Walz’ leg, the others improvised a stretcher. They bound Joe Hansart to it, and by dint of great labor and ingenuity they finally carried him down to the valley floor and from there to the cabin.
Meanwhile, the Scout leader had made Walz fairly comfortable. Gradually, as it dawned upon the motel owner that he might not die, he lapsed into sullen silence.
It was only after he too had been transported to the cabin that he began to deny his previous statements.
“I was out of my head,” he muttered to Jack. “If I said anything about harming Old Stony, it was the bunk. I don’t have any idea who broke into his cabin at Rocking Horse.”
Jack and his friends avoided discussing the subject further. Once they reached a town, they intended to turn Walz over to the authorities. To get out of the valley, however, was their first problem.
“We’re in a bad spot,” Warner admitted, drawing the others aside for a serious conference. “Both of those men need a doctor.”
“Hansart, especially,” Mr. Livingston added. “He has scarcely opened his eyes since we got him here. We need food and medical supplies.”