Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1919-06-24

work Ii their efforts 10 free them
selves Suddenly the four ceased them
efforts and stood looking at each other
in Wonderment. e0r apparently coming
from within the wall Of rock they
heard rhythmical tap, tap. tap that
could scarcely have been made by
other than human hands.
@It's that Indian. whispered the
Hawk to his pal. aEsut where Is Davis
body" With q Wild tide Of hope rush
Ing 10 her heart, Ethel picked up d
crowbar and began digging frenziedly.
while urged To EFFORT by her inportuni-
ties Morgan and Beigas again fell to
Iaboring at her side. Five minutes
later they tore down d great rock. and
scarcely had II landed at their feet
than from out the opening ii revealed
Davis came crawling The next in
slant Ethel was Ia his arms.
aHelI's hounds !" grttted Morgan.
..Did ever q man have such luck r.
The Spider gave him vicious nudge.
Shut up, you fool. Of your give us
both away Join ID the merrymaking
now.sand take Ii ont Of his hide later. 4
Swallowing his anger Morgan seized
the escaped ones hand and wrung It
warmly as he congratulated him upon
his miraculous deliyernnce.
More work OF that Mysterious
Stranger, suppose. But one Of these
days wen get him. said Davis.
rye must be starved nigh unto death,
4 S5xYf
up with dlyll like him. Come home.
all Of ye. for I'VE the makin's OF q.
wonderful feast" urged the practical
Bridget High OF spirits, they began
their return.
Half way upon their journey, q PEE
GUITAR screen OF vines attracted the at
teation Of John, and upon his calling.
the attention of the others to IL, sill
dtsmounted. Al moments investigation
revealed the fact that the vines screen
ed the entrance 10 another cave. and
pushing them aside al entered The
first thing that met their eyes was d
small. casket shaped box labeled aIohn
Carr and further exploration reveaI-
Ing the fact that number OF similar.
boxes labeled an the same way we're
scattered about. Eagerly they gather
ed about their find.
Anyway Wen find ont what n IN
them" laughed Morgan. as inserting
the end Of d pick beneath the cover
OF one he tore the fastening on With
low cries OF wonderrnent the behOiders
shrank hack, clutching each other.
their eyes protruding. unable TO be-
iieve their senses. For from bottom
10 cover the box was filled With rHdeiy
melted but solid ingots Of pure gold.
The Hawk dropped upon his knees
before ii, running his hands through
the yellow metal. blinking ingot against
Ing0t. His face held the flush Of q
drunkard and his eyes were aglow as
his voice arose In d hoarse whisper.
.The minel The mine at last We
have got ii Z
And i good quarter Of million vel
low boys must be in those boxes, too,
croaked the Spider, no less avarlcious-
u than his chief Davis putting his
arm around Ethel. spoke:
cit III Rreat wonderful and | hope
with the finding of It our dangers have.
come to an end. But we had best be
getting Ii OUT 81 here The cabin is
the place for ii tonight where We can
guard Ii"
sRight-o,' sang Morgan, as he leap
ed TO his feet. Hastily improvislng
saddle bags from coats. blankets and
whatever came handsest, they dump
I'd the precious metal into It's new re-
septacles and loaded II upon their
horses. Then walking at the heads Of
their animals they continued their way
fillea with suppressed excitement.
That night. praying Tor peaceful
slunabers. they placed the treasure iI1
Ethel's room Intending to decide upon
its disposition Iii the morning.
With the Hawk and the Spider gone
~ their rest in the harness room Brid-
get asleep and Rainface cuTled up be
fore the fireplace, Ethel raised her
lips to Johns In good night caress.
Softly her arm stole about his neck.
ssGod has been good to as. John,
dear. He has saved you and me from
many perils. I am going 70 thank
Him. Good night.
aGood night. dearest he whispered.
kissing her many times.
The moon had arisen and the still
ness az midnight lowered over the
place. The door of Ethel's closet open
ed softly and the face of the Hermit
appeared, smiling as ne saw her sleep
Ing peacefully. Crossing the room With
noIseless steps he raised two of the
gold glutted bags Id his arms and re-
entering the closet disappeared through
the trap %hree times more he re-
peatetl this, the last time bearing with
him the anal nugget. and with fare
ven smile 1T the still sleeping girl be.
closed the door and opened II no more.
scarcely had he taken his Silent
farewell than the Hawk and the Spa".
der srieaking from the harness roolHa'
tools III hand. opened the cellar door
and crept within. Lighting = candle
they began digging NJ the earth Walls
of the cellar. and ID the course q 8
kSeaQs