What was there about a spot like that to rouse excitement in the breast of the usually phlegmatic Andrew Thorne? Why had he been in such haste to drag Lynch thither, and what had passed between the two before the older man came to his sudden and tragic end? Was it possible that somewhere within that four square miles of desolate wilderness might lie the key to the puzzling mystery Buck had set himself to solve?
“I wonder?” he murmured again, and leaving the margin of the creek, he moved slowly toward the open bunk-house door.
CHAPTER XI
DANGER
As Buck appeared in the doorway, blinking a little at the lamp-light, the five card-players stared at him in astonishment.
“Where the devil have you been?” inquired Kreeger, surprised out of his accustomed taciturnity.
“I thought yuh was asleep,” added Peters, casting a bewildered glance at the shadowy bunk.
Buck, who had scarcely hoped his little stratagem would succeed so well, refrained with difficulty from showing the pleasure he felt.