“I think we had better be going now,” suggested Tad, rising.

“Wait!” commanded their host.  “Sit down!  I have something to say to you.  Then, perhaps, I’ll walk back to your camp and have a talk with the Professor.  What sort of man is your guide?”

“He’s a very fine man—­”

“That’s my idea.  What you heard on the train is borne out by several little things that have come under my observation within the last few days, but I did not think they would go as far as you have indicated.  I will tell you frankly, that I expect the treasure which we hope to find to be a big one.  How I happened to take these men in with me, in the search for it, is unnecessary to state.  However, I am done with them, now, for good.  They know that I have not put my information on paper, or else they might have made an end of me before this.”

“Is the treasure near this vicinity, Mr. Marquand?” asked Tad.

“About two days’ journey.  I expect to find it at or near the ruins of an old Pueblo house.  You know they built their homes one on top of another.  Some of their adobe houses are six and seven stories high.  Even if we locate the place, we may experience great difficulty in finding that of which we are in search.  How would you boys like to join me?  It will be an interesting experience for you?”

“Help—­ help you find the buried treasure?” questioned Chunky, his face red with suppressed excitement.

“Yes.”

“Great!” chorused the lads.

“I’ll talk with Professor Zepplin.  Come, we will go over to the camp now.”

When Mr. Marquand and the Professor had finished their conference, Tad and Chunky leaned forward eagerly to learn the result.

“Yes,” nodded Mr. Marquand; “you’re all going to help me find the ancient Pueblo treasure.”

CHAPTER XXII

 In hand-to-hand conflict

“I’m done with you, Bob Lasar!  And you, too, Comstock!” thundered Mr. Marquand, as the rascals stood at the door of his room some two hours later.

Mr. Marquand had been waiting for them, and with him was Tad Butler, whom he had urged to accompany him back to the hotel that he might be a witness to what took place.  Perhaps, too, Mr. Marquand reasoned that his former associates might not take the same attitude toward him in the presence of the boy that they might otherwise take.

The two men had halted in the doorway as Mr. Marquand hurled his decision at them.

Lasar shoved his companion into the room and closed the door.

“Sit down, both of you!  So you thought to hoodwink me—­ to get the secret of the treasure and then put me out of the way, eh?  That was your game, was it?  Well, it’s all off now.  I’ll have nothing further to do with you.”

“Why—­ why, Mr. Marquand, it’s all a mistake!” began one of the pair.