189CHAPTER XIX
THE PROFESSOR IN A RAGE
“What!” fairly exploded Professor Zepplin.
“Mr. Darwood accuses us of having followed him to find out where this wonderful gold deposit is located. He thinks we want to steal it away from him.”
“Preposterous!”
“Show me some gold,” urged Stacy, edging near. “I am looking for gold. I don’t make any bones about saying so, either.”
“Be silent,” commanded the Professor.
“I smelled smoke when I was out this morning,” continued Butler. “I followed the scent until I stumbled into Mr. Darwood’s camp. It was his signal smokes that we saw yesterday. Mr. Darwood did not give me a very cordial welcome; he ordered me out of his camp. Not only that, but he threatened me in case we persisted in following him. I think he would have used his pistol on me if I had not gone away when I did.”
“Is this true, Darwood?” questioned the 190Professor, who was restraining himself with an effort.
“I reckon it’s right, so far as it goes. I know what you fellows are up to. You may think you can fool me, but I’ve been in these parts too long to be an easy mark. It’s nobody’s business whether we are in search of gold or whether we are up here for our health. Whatever our business is, we don’t propose to have a lot of folks sticking their noses into it.”