in our plans, dad; will it?"
asked Frank.

"That depends on you two boys. If you think you can carry the game
along, even with Eugene against you, I see no reason to make any
change," the stockman replied, with a look that spoke of much
confidence.

The balance of the afternoon was spent in exchanging views, and much
study of the map of the famous canyon of the Colorado, which it happened
the ranch owner had in his desk.

All sorts of theories were advanced by first one and then another of the
group. It happened that Colonel Haywood himself had never as yet paid a
visit to the strange gash in the soil of northwestern Arizona; and he
admitted the fact with a rueful face.

"Then just as soon as you get well, dad, make up your mind you're going
to take a little vacation, and see the Grand Canyon," said Frank. "When
we come back, perhaps what we have to say will set you wild to go. And
we expect to bring news of old Uncle Felix too, if he's still in the
land of the living."

"Let's go over that ground again," remarked Bob.

"Now you're referring to what was said about the funny old stone
dwellings of the cliff dwellers, who used to live there centuries ago,"
remarked Frank.

"And he's right, too," declared the ranchman. "I get the point Bob
makes. It was about these wonderful people that Uncle Felix was so
deeply interested, and he made up his mind to shut himself away from all
the world, just to study up their history, as left in the holes in the
rock."

"And it would seem to follow, then," said Bob, readily, "that he will be
found located in one of those series of terraces where these holes are
discovered. I notice that there are a number of these villages connected
with the map of the Grand Canyon; but the chances are your Uncle Felix
wouldn't take up with any where tourist travel was common."

"Now, that sounds all right," admitted Frank. "In the first place he
would have been heard from long ago, if tourists ran across him; because
they always talk, and send their accounts to be published in the
papers."

"Besides, these scientific men hate to be watched when they're wrapped
up in work like this. I've known a couple back in Old Kentucky," Bob
went on.

"According to your idea, then," said the Colonel, nodding approvingly,
"this Echo Cave he mentions will prove to be some new place that the
ordinary tourist in the big canyon has never set eyes on?"

"That's my opinion, sir," replied Bob.

"And if tha