"I learned that the second letter was a forgery," he said. "It was a snare to lure me to my death."
Cooper's face betrayed signs of fright as he sank into a chair. He listened intently as Hubert Weston told the story in terse, cold words.
"So you did not go!" exclaimed Cooper when the major had finished his account. "But what became of young Duncan? He could not have been foolish enough to have gone in your place."
"We fear that he was," said Weston in a hushed voice. "He has been gone one week. Gone — perhaps to the same death encountered by the other four. You and I may be the sole survivors. We are indeed fortunate."
"What shall I do?" questioned Cooper. "Stay here with you to-night? I cannot go alone."
"Stay here, certainly. That fits in with our plan. We attack to-morrow night. Three of us. We had hoped to have four — Duncan, as well as yourself. Even now we outnumber the two who are at the old ruin. I doubt that they have others with them, although there might be one extra man."
"The ape-man is powerful," interposed Vincent. "Do not forget that. I have encountered him."
"Why not go to-night?" questioned Cooper.
"We must abide by the decision of the man who is directing us. We are following our chief's plans."
Garrison Cooper nodded. Then he addressed Major Weston.