“Yes—where it widens out into a kind of room.”
“I remember now—that guy slugged me when I was making for the candle on the table over there.”
“Who slugged you? The bearded aviator?”
“That’s right. I was coming along, lighting matches to see by when he stepped from behind one of the uprights—and that’s all I remember. Knocked me out, I guess.”
“He certainly did! You’ve a bump on your head like an egg. The helmet probably saved your life. Feel pretty rotten, don’t you?”
“You said it! Dizzy as blazes—and my head’s as sore as a boil. But I guess I’ll be all right in a minute if I can just lie still. Do you mind?”
“Of course not, silly. Take your time. I suppose you followed the footprints to the barrel, like I did.”
“Yep. But how come you went after me?” he chuckled. “I thought the idea was to beat it home in the plane.”
“Oh, Bill, I just couldn’t!”
Bill sat up. “Well, I suppose I was crazy to ever think you would—but I honestly didn’t think I’d get into such close quarters with that fellow. As it is, I’m mighty glad you didn’t take my fool suggestion,” he admitted. “Where would I be now, if you hadn’t shown up? By the taste in my mouth and the feel of my wrists, that galoot must have tied me up and gagged me!”