The Monticellonian., 1919-09-05

ana mounting it stood within Il narrow
tunnel With no other course to pur-
sue he began carefully treading its
length, pausing not until he came to
It's end. Here he found another short
ladder above which was trapdoor.
and climbing it cautiously showed
the trap and stepped into small. dark
room. Seeing door upon one side he
silently opened it, his heart giving
great leap at what ne saw.
He was peering into Ethef's bed
room, and the girl sitting before lit
tie table with her cheeks in her hands.
was gazing at his own picture. Bat
tered and dirty he sat his lantern
down, and approaching her quietly
from behind, laid his hand upon her
shoulder. Turning swiftly She looked
up-grew white then with low cry
threw herself into his arms.
For several minutes, Obvious that
in all the world there existed others
than themselves, they abandoned them
selves to the caresScs and whispers
which lovers know so we'll then John,
holding her off at arms length, smiled.
Come. We must go and tell the
others also" With Ethel clinging to
his arm they entered the room where
Bridget sat on guard as formidable as
| old Cerberus himself before the gates
OF Hades. Dropping her weapon on
the floor the woman arose, mouth open
and eyes bullying at the sight of the
man.
"Merciful hivens, An We were not
kilt at all, at all !" she gasped as she
stumbled forward to greet him.
Hardly, Bridget" he grinned. She
turned to the pair within the room.
Come out, both of ye' Heads erect
and wearing the look of men grossly
mistreated, the Hawk and Bellas en-
tered the living room. John thrust
| forth his hand.
II can only ask your forgiveness.
boys. Ethel has told me all. and ii
happened just as you said it did, Bel
las. Furthermore. | have found the
real mine. Come on, all of you, and
We'll inspect it.
"Fll stick behind and see that all
goes we'll here. You can tell me about
it when you come back" said Morgan.
As he determinedly refused to accom-
pany them. they hnrriedly made ready
ana took their departure.
Left alone, Morgan began to prOwl.
Davis must have got in by some Sc
cret way he muttered as he began
searching the floor Presently coming
to the closet of the girls room he
raised its rug and at once saw the trap
cut in its floor. Quickly securing his
Winchester he also thrust his pistol
int his belt, raised the trap and went
feeling his way down the ladder.
Lighting his way by the lantern
which Davis had left behind, he fol
lowed the tunnel until it emptied him
into the main cave. Above him he
saw the gold glowing duly, and gasped
as the other man had done as compre-
] hension of its great richness gradually
forced itself upon him.
'9There are millions here, and | mean
to have all. And the girl as we'll" he
muttered. Setting the lantern down
he approached the growth which
screened the outside entrance to the
room, peering into the open air. In the
distance he saw the party from the
cabin coming up the trail in single file,
John in the lead, and he picked up his
rifle with a cruel smile.
"Now IShave him." he whispered as
he ran his eye along the barrel. The
roar of his rifle went resounding
among the hills, bufTeting back and
forth like a shuttlecock. John, in the
act of leaping across a small rift,
plunged forward just as Ethel was
about to grasp his proffered hand.
Morgan, in the act of turning to flee.
felt a crushing blow from behind. and
throwing up his hands, collapsed with
groan upon the floor.
Davis scrambled to his feet and
pointed to the moss covered rock from
which he had slipped at the instant
the gun was discharged.
"That was the luckiest misstep ] ever
made, for otherwise that bullet would
have gone through my head" he cried
He waved his hand at them. Take to
cover everybody-quick."
From the boulders behind which they
scuttled they watched the entrance
closely for several minutes. No sounds
came from within the cave, and con-
WINGED that whoever had fired the shot
had fled, Davis rushed the opening, gun
in hand, the others hot upon his heels.
Before them and lying senseless upon
the floor was the body of the Hawk.
Ten minutes later Morgan was able
to speak in faint tones.
after you left l stepped into Miss
Ethels room, and much to my aston
ishment saw trap door in the floor of
her closet. Wondering what it could
mean, / descended through it, follow
ing a tunnel which led me into this
room. AS ! entered / saw that cursed
Hermit in the very act of firing upon
you as you approached, and made
jump for him. But in my weak state
he was too much for me and knocked
me senseless. But thank God you are
all safe" Warmly John shook his
hand.
I'VE are quits now, old man."
Il knew you would come to believe
in me at last" returned the Hawk as
he responded to the others grip.
upon one of the bas-reliefs which have