And Chet lost no time in relating Allen's story of the hidden mine of great wealth
"And perhaps we can explore the place during his absence," Paul said, after he had expressed his astonishment and asked half a dozen questions.
"I don't know about that, Paul. We may not be able to find the opening Allen mentioned, and then, again, he may not wish us to do so."
"Why should he object?"
"I don t know."
"We'll have ten days or two weeks on our hands, at the very least. We might as well take a look at that wealth as not."
"Supposing somebody followed us and found out the secret? They would locate a claim before we could turn a hand."
"We will make sure that we are not followed," said Paul, who was anxious to see if all Allen had told could really be true.
Chet continued to demur, but after Allen and Noel had been gone the whole of the next day he gave in, and seemed as anxious as Paul to do something which would make it less lonely. Apparently the horse thieves had left the vicinity, so there was nothing to be feared in that direction
