Jack shook his head. “I don’t think there is anything wrong with him organically,” he said. “He must have gone without food for a long time and that weakened him. Also the fact that he was tied to that chair.”
“Perhaps he wouldn’t want us to get a doctor because a doctor would have to notify the police. And he may not want that.”
Paul spoke up. He said, “One of us should run back to the nearest grocery to buy a bottle of fresh milk, several cans of fruit juice and some fresh fruit and vegetables.”
“I w-will g-go,” offered Bluff.
Paul cautioned him. “Make believe that you’re hiking by yourself and don’t answer any questions.”
Bluff nodded and was off. The boys sat down in a circle and Paul said, “Now we’ll hear what the result of your exploration has been, Jack and Ken. Which one of you is going to do the talking?”
“There’s really nothing to tell,” spoke up Jack. “We found nothing suspicious nor unusual.”
“Was the barn just plain empty?” questioned William.
“Yes,” replied Ken, “except for a few sticks and stones.”