Page:Allan Dunn--Dead Man's Gold.djvu/196

182 "Then Lyman's own compass would be as liable to variation as Harvey's and from the same causes," said Stone.

Larkin's face fell. "I never thought of that," he confessed.

"I don't imagine it will make much difference," said Stone. "There won't be many creek-beds, dry or wet, within a variation of a few degrees. We can test till we get the gold, if there should be more than one."

"There's honly one w'ot's got gold in it, haccordin' to Lyman," said Larkin. "Funny 'ow many things 'as gone wrong habout this trip. 'Bout time it started to go right for a change. Let's telephone up and see 'ow 'Ealy is gettin' halong."

They got Doctor Seward on the wire and he promised them that Healy would be fit to leave after two days more. The wound was healing nicely but he would have to be careful of his arm and carry it in a sling.

They were up and on the road to the sanitarium before dawn on the third morning, the burros packed, the little caravan swinging along at a lively clip up tumbling Clear Creek, hurrying down to join the Verde. They had told Healy to be ready for them and they found him waiting, looking fit and professing eagerness. They did not see the girl until Stone went up to the main building to pay his respects to the doctor. After a little hesitation Larkin followed him.

Doctor Seward absolutely refused to take any payment for Healy.