Help yourself," offered
Mr. Phipps.
The lads were not slow to do so, and in a moment were chewing
industriously, laughing and talking at the same time.
"Beats all what a little thing will make a fellow forget his
troubles," said Ned. "Now, I remember--"
"Hello, boy!"
"Who said that?" demanded Tad Butler springing up from the pile of
rocks on which he had been sitting for some time.
"Said what?" snapped Ned. "I was talking when you interrupted me."
"I thought I heard somebody say 'hello,'" confirmed Mr. Phipps.
"So did I," added Walter.
"And I know they did," said Tad emphatically.
"Hello, boy!"
This time all sprang up, startled.
"Who's playing tricks?" shouted Ned.
"Heard it that time, did you?" asked Walter. "It wasn't I."
"Nor I," chorused Tad.
"Then it must have been Ned or myself," said Phipps. "I'm sure that I
am no ventriloquist."
For the moment Phipps wondered if they were all losing their senses.
He had heard of men, imprisoned under similar circumstances, imagining
they heard voices.
Tad Butler, however, knew that imagination had played no part in this
voice. He had heard the voice before. He informed his companions of
this fact.
"Heard it before? Where?" exclaimed Ned.
"On top of the Ruby Mountain yesterday," answered the boy.
CHAPTER XXIII
IN THE RUBY MOUNTAIN
Tom Phipps nodded.
Pages:
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189