“What did he do?”
“He was looking in the other end of the opening. I just took one look at him and ran.”
“Did he see you?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t wait for anything.”
“Was he alone?”
“I think so,” said John. “At least I saw only one. I suppose I am a coward to be so frightened by an old man like that, but it was so unexpected. The opening was narrow like a chimney-flue and it gave me such a start to see some one at the other end.”
“Well, I don’t blame you,” said Grant grimly. “It would have scared me too.”
John scrambled to his feet. “Let’s go back in and see if he’s still there. I’m ashamed of the way I acted and I want to make up for it.”
“That’s what I say,” exclaimed George. “Clear up this business. One old man can’t hurt us very much.”
“Unless he has a gun,” said Fred.