It will be remembered that he had been promised immunity by Dick Sherman, the mounted policeman, and that the boys had been associated with the officers. In fact, the fellow cast an inquiring glance down the gully as the boys appeared as if he expected to see the officers following along behind them. It did not take the lads long to convince the half-drunken crook that he ought to produce the Englishman. Believing that any favors shown the boys would be appreciated by the man whom he expected to save him from a long imprisonment, Terry retired into the cavern and soon returned with DuBois.
“They’ll crack me crust when they find he’s gone!” Terry said as the boys and the Englishman started away together.
“Then perhaps you’d better come with us,” suggested DuBois. “You’ll be safer at the boys’ camp than here, I’m sure!”
The crook agreed to this and the four got away without any difficulty whatever. In an hour they were at the camp.
CHAPTER XX.
THE SECRET HIDING-PLACE.
When the two machines reached the camp they found Mr. Havens very anxious over the long delay.
“I thought I had lost you all this time!” the aviator said. “I had company for a time, but he’s gone now.”
“You came very near losing me, don’t you know!” DuBois exclaimed.
“And I did lose Carl!” Jimmie confessed.
“And I came near losing the Louise!” Ben added.