"Yes."
"Then it's just as I suspected; I tell you I was scared at first, but when the old ghost answered me—"
"When the ghost answered you?" demanded Creedon.
"Yes."
"Did you see the ghost?"
"I heard him—that is, I thought I did—and I spoke to him, but he gave me back such good English I made up my mind that you didn't know how to play a joke. Next time stick to the broken English; you might have scared the life out of me then."
Brooks and Creedon laughed, and the latter said:
"Well, you are smart, you are; but, lad, let me tell you something: don't spend time looking for the Mexican's gold."
"Why not?"
"I've explored every nook and cranny in this mountain, and there is no treasure hidden here."