Johnny had been sure that he would do that very thing.
To keep the nose of the Thunder Bird toward Schwab so that he could not see that only one man returned with her was simple.

Until he was close Schwab did not suspect that Cliff was not along.

Even then he was not suspicious, but came hurrying up to know why Johnny came alone.

Schwab wanted that money--they always do.
"Where's my man ?" he demanded of Johnny, who had brought the landing gear against an old fence post used to block the wheels, and shut the motor off as much as he could and keep it running.
"Your man is sick." Which was true enough; Cliff was a very sick man that morning.

"You'll have to come to him.