Jack explained that the Scout leader was in conference with government officials.
“Still set on going inland?”
“That’s the plan,” Ken told him.
“It’s a mistake,” Captain Carter said gruffly. “If anyone goes off on a wild chase looking for Monahan, I’m the man to do it, because I know this country. Now if Livingston could see it that way, you could park yourselves comfortably—like at Lima. I’d take the expedition in and either find Monahan or learn what became of him.”
“You know then where he disappeared?” Jack asked, watching the seaman closely.
Captain Carter shot a quick, suspicious glance at him. “No such thing,” he denied. “I know where he made his last camp before he started into hostile Indian territory. I tried to get him to turn back, but he wouldn’t listen.”
Ken and Jack remained silent. Nevertheless, they were convinced that the master of the Shark was lying. More than ever they were of the opinion that he knew more about Burton Monahan’s disappearance than he had revealed. Why, they wondered, was he eager to head an expedition and yet unwilling to have them go along?
“I was hired to haul your cargo here, and the job’s done,” the Captain continued. “If you’re asking for advice, though, I’m telling you to forget the expedition.”
“That’s what Father Francisco said, too,” Ken replied.
“Father Francisco?” Carter’s face twisted with dislike. “What did that old fossil tell you about me?”