“Go on, then,” said McGowan, with a wink at Buffalo Bill.
The baron went, and he was quite brisk about it, too.
“Let’s go out, Buffalo Bill,” suggested McGowan, “and see what our casualties are. I hope none of my boys have been badly injured.”
Together the scout and the mine-owner left the laboratory, Nomad staying behind to look after Jacobs and the amalgam.
The first man the scout and the mine-owner saw as they emerged from the office was Andy O’Connell.
“Are yez all roight, McGowan?” asked O’Connell.
“Barring a blow on the head that still makes me feel a little dizzy,” answered McGowan. “Were you one of those who chased after the thieves?”
“I was that, but sorry a wan av th’ blackguards did we catch. They had horses waitin’ beyant th’ hill, an’ they was on thim an’ away befure we could git to our own mounts. Th’ white scoundrel that led th’ attack was hurted—annyway, his arm was tied up in a bit av cloth. He lit out jist a-smokin’. Bernritter was close behind him. Whyever did Bern break through th’ window an’ chase aff wid th’ villains?”
“Because he was mixed up with them, Andy.”