"Oh, Jake Lawson met him at the station and piloted him through the woods. I tell you, he was glad to see me alive and well, for by that time I was all right again."
"I'll bet he was," commented Dave.
"My tale about the silver impressed him very much, and he thought it worth while to investigate fully. He did two things right away—sent for a mining expert," Fenton paused and waved his hand toward Stuart Wells, "then for one of his trusted old watchmen, Neil Prescott."
"Ah, ha! Now we're coming to something," exclaimed Sam, with interest. "We know Neil Prescott, all right."
Howard smiled.
"Father only consented to my returning to the valley on condition that I would keep in constant communication with Neil, and——"
"Bully!" interjected Sam.
"Never attempt that climb unless it was absolutely necessary. As for going up and down, carrying provisions and making an indefinite stay—well, he wouldn't hear of it."
"Don't wonder a bit," said Sam.
"Anyway, we hit upon a splendid scheme. I happened to remember that log hut on Promontory and suggested that Neil might fix it up and stay there a while."