“It was this way,” he said by way of introduction. “I stayed behind, while the rest of my outfit went on up the terraces, waiting for the geyser to let go. I wanted to see it spurt into the air. Well, it didn’t let go at all, and though I waited a long time it didn’t throw enough water to satisfy a canary’s thirst. I got tired of waiting; then I thought I would make the hole a little larger. I did so, whereupon the ‘Infant’ just bubbled and stopped erupting. That made me think I’d better put it back as I found it, so I plugged the opening and stamped the plugging down with my heels and waited to see what happened next. Nothing did, so I began poking it with my hunting knife when all of a sudden the thing went off and I got a bath of steam and hot water. I was almost scalded to death. That is the whole story, Sir,” finished the fat boy.
“Hm-m-m,” mused the officer, regarding the now thoroughly subdued Chunky. “You were called before this department once before, were you not?”
“Yes, sir, for shooting at a bear that I thought was wanting to make a meal of me.”
“In view of the fact that you have admitted your fault and this being a second offense, I have no alternative. I am sorry, but I am obliged to fine you a hundred dollars.”
“A hundred dollars!” gasped Stacy Brown. “I—I—Uncle Hip, can you cross my hand for a hundred?”
Lieutenant Wingate nodded.
“May I ask, sir, whether, in a case like this, there is a reward going to the informer?” questioned Miss Briggs, who had been narrowly observing Taggart.
“Yes. Half of the fine goes to the informer.”
“Thank you,” answered J. Elfreda sweetly, smiling as she noted the frowning expression on Lieutenant Chambers’ face as he regarded the coach driver. Elfreda had obtained information that was to prove of great use to the Overland Riders as well as to the Park officials in the near future.