The geologist's eyes narrowed. "Do you mean to tell me someone tried to blow you up? That's nonsense!"
"That's what happened, nonsense or not," Rick said curtly.
Scotty added, "And what were you doing here?"
"Came to get my wallet," the geologist answered readily. "I missed it and figured I must have dropped it up here. It wasn't anywhere else I'd been. Better get in and let me take you back. If you were close enough to get nosebleeds you must be shaken up quite a bit."
"We're shaken," Rick agreed. "Our jeep is down at our shot station. We decided to leave it there and take a hike."
They climbed into the back of Connel's jeep. The nosebleeds had stopped now, but their faces were smeared with blood. Neither felt like talking, nor, apparently, did Connel. He stopped at their third station and asked, "Can you make it? Or do you want to ride back with me?"
"We can make it," Rick said. "Thanks for the lift."
"I'd better stay behind you to make sure," Connel stated.
The boys headed straight back to the hotel, Connel a hundred yards to their rear. In the parking lot they thanked him again for the lift, then hurried in to let warm water wash away the traces of their experience.
Later, stretched out on their beds, they talked it over.