CHAPTER XXX—ALL’S WELL
Walter and Paul, hurrying to aid Jack, whom they had left in the cave, came in sight of the shack just as the old man and his helper were turning back into it. The two boys did not glimpse the three fleeing men who had by this time disappeared among the trees.
“Look—look at that!” gasped Paul, rubbing his eyes. “Am I dreaming, Wally, or is that an ape or a human being?”
“It’s real enough—some sort of a crazy chap, I should say. But what’s he doing?”
“Calling down the vengeance of heaven, I guess,” observed Paul, for they saw the old man shaking his fist in the air.
“Hurry up and we’ll speak to him,” urged Walter. “Somehow I think he’s part of the mystery.”
They reached the old man just as he was turning back into the shack. He did not seem greatly surprised to see them.
“Will that—er—fellow hurt us?” asked Walter.
“Not unless I tell him to. Are you the police?”
“No, but we can get them if you wish,” said Walter. “We are after the ticket counterfeiters,” he added shrewdly. “We have recovered the stolen auto, and a lot of the stuff is in our possession. Now if you——”