"That goes without saying."
"Do you know a man by the name of Lasar--Bob Lasar, Mr. Marquand?"
Mr. Marquand started, eyeing both lads questioningly.
"Yes; he is a.s.sociated with me in a business venture."
"Told you so," interjected Stacy.
"What of him?"
Tad wished he was well out of it all. To be obliged to tell all he knew of Bob Lasar, and to the latter"s partner, was rather a troublesome undertaking.
Plucking up courage, Tad briefly related all that he and his companion had overheard on the train as they were approaching Bluewater to all of which their host listened with grave attention and increasing interest.
"The incident probably would not have come back to me again but for certain things that happened to-day," Tad continued.
"Would either of you know Lasar were you to see him again, do you think?"
"My friend Chunky Brown saw him here to-day."
"Saw him get out of the stage in front of this very hotel," nodded Stacy.
"You are right. He is here. Mr. Lasar had stopped off at a near-by town on a personal matter. Can you describe the man whom you saw with him on the train?"
"As I remember him, he was slightly taller than Mr. Lasar, with red hair and a moustache of the same shade."
"Yes, that"s Joe Comstock. No doubt about that," nodded Mr. Marquand.
"You didn"t hear them say what their plan was, then?"
"Not definitely. Only that they intended to rid themselves of you after having obtained possession of your plans for finding the treasure, or at least learning where it is hidden."
"Hm-m-m!"
Mr. Marquand sat thoughtfully silent for several minutes, the lines of his face growing tense and hard. The boys could see that he was exerting, a strong effort to control himself.
"You--you haven"t told them your plans?" questioned Tad, in a subdued voice.
"No. I was going to do so to-night, if Comstock had arrived. He may get in yet."
"But you won"t do so now--will you?"
"No! I thank you, boys," exclaimed their host, extending an impulsive hand to each at the same time.
"Then--then our information is going to be of some use to you?"
"More than you can have any idea of. You have done me a greater service than you know. I thank you--thank you from the bottom of my heart! Perhaps, ere long I may be able to show my appreciation in a more substantial manner."
Marquand ceased speaking abruptly and began pacing back and forth, hands thrust deep into his coat pockets. He was a man of slight build, but strong and wiry. He was well past middle age, erect and forceful.
Looking at him, Tad found himself wondering how such a man could have gotten into the clutches of two such rascals as Bob Lasar and Joe Comstock. Tad hoped their host would offer some explanation, while Chunky was nearly bursting with curiosity. Mr. Marquand appeared to have forgotten their presence entirely.
"I think we had better be going now," suggested Tad, rising.
"Wait!" commanded their host. "Sit down! I have something to say to you. Then, perhaps, I"ll walk back to your camp and have a talk with the Professor. What sort of man is your guide?"
"He"s a very fine man--"
"That"s my idea. What you heard on the train is borne out by several little things that have come under my observation within the last few days, but I did not think they would go as far as you have indicated.
I will tell you frankly, that I expect the treasure which we hope to find to be a big one. How I happened to take these men in with me, in the search for it, is unnecessary to state. However, I am done with them, now, for good. They know that I have not put my information on paper, or else they might have made an end of me before this."
"Is the treasure near this vicinity, Mr. Marquand?" asked Tad.
"About two days" journey. I expect to find it at or near the ruins of an old Pueblo house. You know they built their homes one on top of another. Some of their adobe houses are six and seven stories high.
Even if we locate the place, we may experience great difficulty in finding that of which we are in search. How would you boys like to join me? It will be an interesting experience for you?"
"Help--help you find the buried treasure?" questioned Chunky, his face red with suppressed excitement.
"Yes."
"Great!" chorused the lads.
"I"ll talk with Professor Zepplin. Come, we will go over to the camp now."
When Mr. Marquand and the Professor had finished their conference, Tad and Chunky leaned forward eagerly to learn the result.
"Yes," nodded Mr. Marquand; "you"re all going to help me find the ancient Pueblo treasure."
CHAPTER XXII
IN HAND-TO-HAND CONFLICT
"I"m done with you, Bob Lasar! And you, too, Comstock!" thundered Mr.
Marquand, as the rascals stood at the door of his room some two hours later.
Mr. Marquand had been waiting for them, and with him was Tad Butler, whom he had urged to accompany him back to the hotel that he might be a witness to what took place. Perhaps, too, Mr. Marquand reasoned that his former a.s.sociates might not take the same att.i.tude toward him in the presence of the boy that they might otherwise take.
The two men had halted in the doorway as Mr. Marquand hurled his decision at them.
Lasar shoved his companion into the room and closed the door.
"Sit down, both of you! So you thought to hoodwink me--to get the secret of the treasure and then put me out of the way, eh? That was your game, was it? Well, it"s all off now. I"ll have nothing further to do with you."
"Why--why, Mr. Marquand, it"s all a mistake!" began one of the pair.
"Perhaps you"ll deny having plotted against me on a train on your way to Bluewater."