Frank threw himself on the blankets which had been provided by Mr. Green and closed his eyes, which were still smarting from the effects of the smoke.
“If you go away to-morrow,” he said, presently, “what is to become of the clues we found in the cavern by the lake?”
“All provided for,” Ned answered.
“And all the Chinks, and everything you discovered while visiting them in the caves almost under the divide?”
“Everything provided for,” Ned said, sleepily.
“And you think you can close this case by going to San Francisco?” demanded Frank, a touch of sarcasm in his tone.
“Go to sleep, little boy,” said Ned, in a tantalizing tone.
“But do you?” insisted the boy.
“Of course I do,” was the muttered reply. “Go to sleep, little man!”
And Frank tried to obey, but sleep would not come. The fire still smouldered over in the west. The ruddy light of the embers was still touching the camp with its red fingers. The smoke was still asserting itself in the air. The puzzle was still there!