Then, as they watched, they saw him slap his knee vehemently as he arose with a smile.
"That fellow is a fraud! He's trying to mislead me! I know his type now. He wants to keep everything for himself."
He would have been certain of this if he had seen Kie Wicks emerging from the canyon. Kie shook his head decidedly. "There, I put a spike in the professor's gun. He simply wilted. I'm rid of him all right."
But, as the horse followed the well worn trail, he mused. "There's treasure there, I know it! It's my treasure! Mine!"
CHAPTER X
THE PROFESSOR'S JOB
Within a few days the professor's tent and cot arrived, and after that Ma Patten pleaded in vain for him to stay with them. The old man was independent and insisted on getting established in his own quarters. He had already chosen a spot in Lost Canyon with the aid of Indian Joe, who knew the best springs and the best place to pitch a tent.
And Professor Gillette could not have had a better helper. Under a huge cottonwood tree, there was a bubbling spring, cool and clear, and down the creek a short distance was a small pool.
"Why, there's my bath room!" laughed the old man. "Talk about modern conveniences, I have them all."
The Merriweather Girls were eager to help the old man get settled. And when the five of them with Tommy Sharpe got to work they soon had everything in order. Tommy levelled a space and beat it down until it was smooth. Judge Breckenridge had suggested that boards be laid for a floor but at this the professor protested vehemently.