Elsa sniffed in a manner peculiarly like a sob, and Roger raised his head with a sheepish laugh.
"I guess I'm about all in," he said.
"You're hungry and tired out," exclaimed Charley. "Sit down, Roger and have some supper."
There was a little flurry of bringing fresh plates and an extra chair and the interrupted meal was begun again.
"Where on earth did you go, Roger?" asked Elsa. "We saw you start straight across the valley."
"I got as far as the river. I didn't do Ernest any real damage, did I?" Roger looked at Dick inquiringly.
"I guess not. He seems to have worked around, as usual. He and Gustav went into Archer's Springs yesterday."
There was a moment's pause, then Elsa said, "What do you intend to do, Roger?"
Roger laid down his knife and fork, dejectedly. "I don't know! How could a man like Ernest do such a rotten trick!"
"He refused to make us any explanation whatever," said Dick. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm through with him unless he comes across with a satisfactory statement. I don't like the look of the whole thing."