"I'll buy it," Rick agreed. "But why? Why guard a chunk of jungle with nothing in it but some torn up yellow ground?"
"When I find out," Scotty replied, "I'll let you know first thing."
CHAPTER X
The Volcanic Pipe
Hartson Brant and Julius Weiss were still at work in the conference room when Rick and Scotty returned. David Riddle had gone, and the others had evidently not finished placing the tiltometers.
The two listened to Rick's story in silence, then Hartson Brant sighed. "I don't know how you do it, Rick. But if there's trouble around, you and Scotty will find it. Are you sure the rifleman shot at you?"
"We've got a bullet hole in the windshield and one just under the rear seat," Scotty said. "One might be an accident, but not two."
"I agree." Hartson Brant nodded. "Let's see the samples of earth you brought back, Rick."
He took both the yellow and blue pieces from his pocket and put them on the table. Hartson Brant and Weiss examined them with interest.