They finally arrived at Tonto City and routed Doctor Bogart out of bed. Professor Fossil was able, with some help, to walk into the doctor’s office. He had only spoken a few words on the way home, but he was able to tell the doctor that he was all right. He had a cut scalp, numerous bruises, and the doctor decided that he was suffering from shock. Pelly shrugged off any medical attention, although he had an egg-sized lump on the side of his head. Henry had numerous cuts and bruises, most of them from the sharp limbs of that manzanita, and also declined any assistance from the doctor. Slim had brought Judge down there to hear what happened. The doctor put the professor to bed and came back to the office. “The professor required a sedative,” said the doctor. “He has suffered considerable shock, and is very nervous.” “You can’t blame him,” said Pelly. “After all his work in this valley, all his samples and trophies have gone into Lobo Canyon.” “Oh, that’s too bad!” exclaimed Henry. “I didn’t realize--” “Mr. Gonyer wanted him to ship them out on the stage,” said Pelly, “but he decided to handle them himself.” “Quite a collection, I suppose,” said Henry. “Two large boxes,” said Pelly. “At least five hundred pounds of fossil-bearing rocks. And his trunk and valises, too.” “They might be recovered,” suggested Henry. “Lobo Canyon is a difficult place to get in and out, but perhaps we can--” “I must get to Scorpion Bend,” interrupted Pelly. “My paper must be published. I almost forgot about it.” “Not a bad idea,” said Judge soberly. “I’m sure that the public would thoroughly admire your negligence.” Although Pelly was not in physical shape to flare-up--he made an attempt. He turned on Henry and declared, “I am announcing your resignation, Conroy.” “My goodness! But what if I do not resign, sir?” “You will--or get fired. By resigning you escape the stigma of being ousted bodily. I have it on such good authority that I have the story all written. And after what happened tonight--” “You are blaming me for that?” queried Henry soberly. “You deliberately turned the wrong way, Conroy. You forced the wagon over into the canyon.” “Instead of going down there ourselves,” said Henry. “Yes, I did that, Mr. Pelly. You have admitted that your driver was traveling too fast for that dangerous road, and you must admit that he was crowding the outer edge, making it impossible for me to have stayed on that side. I have the evidence of your own words, spoken before witnesses. One word of accusation against me in your paper, and I shall sue you for criminal libel, my boy.” James Wadsworth Longfellow Pelly looked around the room. Oscar Johnson, Slim Pickins, Frijole Cullison, Henry Conroy, Judge Van Treece, all looking at him. “You can’t scare me,” he said weakly. “Not any worse than you are now, Pelly,” assured Henry. “It’s a wonder Professor Norbert and I were not killed, too,” said Pelly huskily. “We can’t have everything our way,” sighed Judge.