Pagina 228 de 439

"In a way, yes. It is very much more round-about. It isn't known

much by the public. Not many outsiders have business in the

valley."

She volunteered no explanation in detail, and the man beside her

said, with a grim laugh:

"There isn't any general admission to the public this way, is

there?"

"No. Oh, folks can come if they want to."

He looked full in her face, and said significantly: "I thought

the way to Lost Valley was a sort of a secret--one that those who

know are not expected to tell."

"Oh, that's just talk. Not many come in but our friends. We've

had to be careful lately. But you can't call a secret what a

thousand folks know."