But Dick would have none of his assistance, and, as it proved, it was not needed, for he was easily able to lift the stone himself. It seemed to move on two dowels set in sockets cut in the ledge; a very clever piece of work, which Dick determined to study into later on. When they came up into the open air our little party found themselves at the very point where the horse had stopped, proving Doctor Dan to have been entirely right in his conclusions. They were now free, but with the boat gone it seemed rather a discouraging situation, for night would soon be upon them and to take the long walk through the canyon and down the mountain and then up again on the other trail was not to be thought of at all. “Mr. Mudd,” said Dick, turning to their prisoner, “you left a note for me in that hut over there by the lake?” “Ah! So you found it, did you?” replied Mudd. “Well?” “You asked me to meet you there alone at midnight and promised some important disclosures. You will have an opportunity to make them in the hut very soon, for I’m going to take you there now.” “You may take me there if you wish, same as you can take a horse to water,” growled Mudd. “By which I suppose you mean that I shall have the same trouble making you talk against your will that I would in making the horse drink unless he chose--is that it?” “That is it exactly. Same time, young feller, I’m willing to talk if I’m paid.” “I told you what I’d do,” said Dick. “You put a million dollars in my hands and I’ll give you a hundred thousand.” “Will you give it to me in writing?” asked Mudd, quickly. “Yes, I will.” “Good enough! Come on to the hut. This is no joke, Dick Darrell. You have been wronged out of a large fortune and I know it. I could name the man who did it if I chose and I have a great mind to do it, too.” As he spoke Martin Mudd shot a malignant look at Clara, which Dick did not at all understand just then. “Name him,” he said. “Speak out. I mean business; show that you do, too.” They were walking along through the canyon at the time and Mudd kept on for some moments in silence. Suddenly he looked up, exclaiming: “Well, I will name him. He is Colonel Tom Eglinton, the father of that girl!” CHAPTER XVII. CAUGHT NAPPING. “It is false!” cried Clara. “How dare you accuse my father of crime?” “It’s true,” persisted Mudd; “and now that the cat is out of the bag, I’m going to tell the whole story, so that Dick Darrell can see what sort of cattle he is dealing with when he comes to deal with old Tom Eglinton and his brood.” “Hold your tongue or I’ll pull it out for you!” exclaimed Dick; “you have no right to insult this young lady so. Never mind him, Clara. We know what he is. Don’t pay the least attention to him. He is talking the same way he got shot--through his hat.”