“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I didn’t expect you’d tell me, but I reckon I can find him.”
“Help yourself.”
Bob started to enter the shack then turned back.
“Guess I’d better take your gun,” he said as he leaned over and pulled the revolver from his pocket. “You got away once and you might this time.”
The man said nothing but smiled in a way that made Bob shiver.
“He’s got something up his sleeve,” he thought as he again turned toward the shack.
Inside the place looked much the same as it had before except that three folding cots had been added and were arranged along one side of the room. The door, leading into the cave, was closed and fastened with the heavy bar. It was a moment’s work to remove the bar and throw open the door.
“Jack,” he cried.
There was no answer and, throwing the light of his flash ahead of him, he entered. It took but a short time to convince himself that Jack was not there and an unaccustomed feeling of fear seized hold of him. Several times he called his name but save for the echo the stillness of the tomb pervaded the place. He had been so certain that he would find his brother in the cave that the disappointment almost overcame him and for a moment he leaned weakly against the wall not knowing what step to take. Finally he shook himself together and went outside.