The Hidden Beast Read Free Page B

tomorrowmorning, early enough to catch Venus in the dark sky.”
    â€œI’m confused,” Cindy said. “I thought we weren’t going to try to search until the morning after?”
    â€œWe’ll see how far we get today,” Leah interrupted.
    â€œYeah,” Bryce agreed. “Let’s play it by ear.”
    They started off. As Watch had said the way was grueling at first. Several times Cindy slipped on loose gravel and scratched her knees. Because it was hot, she was wearing shorts and the scratches were rather nasty. They had to stop while she bandaged them. Luckily Sally had remembered to bring a first-aid kit.
    Sally was the most comfortable hiking. In fact, she was the most experienced climber, even though she didn’t know these mountains as well as Watch. For the most part it was Sally and Watch who led. Sally talked about what she’d buy if they did find the treasure, as they moved steadily upward.
    â€œThe first thing I want is a house in a town other than Spooksville,” she said. “Then I’d be able to sleep peacefully at night and not have toworry about whether I’d be dead in the morning.”
    â€œBut if you moved to another town,” Adam said, trudging along behind her, “we’d miss you. And you would miss all our great adventures.”
    Sally laughed. The mountain air seemed to put her in a good mood.
    â€œI could come back and visit whenever you needed me,” she said.
    â€œBut we need you every day,” Cindy gasped, bringing up the rear.
    â€œWe’re forgetting that some of this treasure might be of historical significance,” Watch said. “In that case we might be obligated to donate at least a portion of it to a museum.”
    â€œWe’re not donating any of my treasure to a museum,” Leah interrupted.
    Watch was not taken aback. “I was speaking of our half. I assume we can do whatever we want with it.”
    Leah glanced at him and her pretty green eyes flashed with light. But whether it was a harsh light or a gentle one Adam wasn’t sure. Leah gave a quick smile and spoke in a gentler voice.
    â€œOf course you can do whatever you want with your share,” she said.
    The area had been largely dry and barren, but now they were beginning to pass some trees. The high green branches, although sparse, provided welcome shade. The ground began to level out and even Cindy got a second wind. They began to walk faster, and talk less, and for three continuous hours made excellent time. Indeed, they came to the waterhole Watch had described twenty minutes ahead of schedule. It was a shallow but clear pool that was formed by a spring that seemed to shoot straight out from the side of a cliff. As they kneeled to refill then-bottles, Adam was pleased to see their reflections in the pool.
    â€œLook!” he exclaimed. “Before anyone touches the water. There we are—there are two of each of us now.”
    Sally crouched beside him and made a face at her reflection. “I wish I’d brought my camera,” she said. “It’s beautiful here.”
    â€œIt is very peaceful,” Cindy agreed, picking a flower and smelling it.
    Bryce threw his pack down beside the pool.“We mustn’t take any pictures of the treasure,” he said. “We mustn’t ever let anyone know what we have found.”
    â€œWe understand,” Watch said.
    Bryce glanced at him. “Just wanted to make sure we’re on the same wavelength.”
    They rested for half an hour before starting out again. Now, according to Watch, they were entering an area even he didn’t know well. Yet he apparently did have an idea of where he wanted to camp for the night.
    â€œThere is a large bowl-like valley at the foot of the Teeth,” he said. “We’ll be sheltered from the wind and hopefully from any wild animals.”
    â€œAre there wild animals up here?” Cindy asked