"The first mystery is solved," laughed Billie. "Now for the second one. Come on, Ab," unconsciously naming his companion after the hero of Stanley Waterloo's famous story.
The ape seemed to know what was wanted and the two proceeded slowly and silently toward the ruin.
"I've been in a whole lot of queer scrapes," mused Billie as he crept along, "but this is surely the queerest—tramping around with an ape to solve the disappearance of ten cutthroats. I hope I wake up pretty soon."
But it was no dream, as Billie was soon to discover.
Arriving at the ruined building, Billie crawled along by the wall until he came directly under what had once been a window. Then, after listening a long time and hearing no sound, he ventured to raise his head and peep in.
The old ruin was as empty as though there were not a living person within fifty miles.
"Great Scott!" gasped the boy. "What do you think of that! Now I know I'm dreaming!"
He turned to the ape, waving his whip.
"Here you, Ab," he said, "go in there and see what you can find."
He pointed to the window and the animal sprang lightly in and a minute later perched itself on one of the decaying rafters.