“Y’ know,” he admitted with a self-conscious laugh, “that map has fired my imagination! Not in years have I felt so excited!”
“Gold fever?” Hap Livingston asked with a chuckle.
“No,” the rancher answered soberly. “It’s more than that. I’ve never seen my father’s grave. The tale of gold interests me, but only incidentally. I want to see this place you call Headless Hollow, because its mystery lures me.”
“A trip such as that would require careful planning,” Mr. Livingston observed.
“It would. That’s why so many who started for the region met disaster. Their expeditions were badly organized.”
Again Craig Warner became lost in thought. The Scouts sensed that he was seriously considering making practical use of the map they had turned over to him.
“Y’ know, except for one thing, I’d start for Headless Hollow at the drop of a hat,” the rancher suddenly announced, leaning on the rail fence. “I could get away from here for a week—”
“What’s that one thing holding you up?” Jack asked curiously, though he thought he could guess the answer.
“I know better than to go alone.”
“Maybe you won’t have to,” Jack drawled.