The daily Alaskan., 1920-07-13
CHAPTER xI.
The Cave in the Cliff.

denly what appeared to be an open s-enlace seemed to swing aside, leav- ing revealed a great black opening in the rock. To the lieutenants Snarl or command, one of the men released his gr,n of her arm, and lit a lantern which he took from q nearby shelf. The dim flicker of light penetrated few feet into the dark hole. only serV- ing to render the opening more grim and sinister. The girl Shrank back, but the fellow still holding her tight ened his grip. CateraS' thin lips smiled, and he bowed, hat in hand' hatefully polite.
 "Go ahead with the light Silva; not too fast. my man; the room beyond the senor's. Now, MerOdez, release the girl.
 "Ah, so you can stand alone, senor' !ta; that is well. Step in here, ahead of me, and follow the lantern-there Is nothing to fear"
 She hesitated. md the smile on the MeIican's lips changed into q cruel griI..
 Shall I make you again"
 "No, senor."
 "Then you will do as I bid"
 "Yes, Senor: l cannot resist"
 The passage was clean and dry, and seemed to lead directly back into the cliff. The faint light revealed the side walls and low roof, and the girl. again partially mistress of herself recog~ ntzed the nature of the rock to be lime stone. Her view was limited to the slight radius ulumined by the lantern, and even within that small area, her own shadow, and those of the three men, helped render everything indiSttnct. They had turned q sharp corner. and advanced a few feet beyond when the man with the lantern stopped sudden ly. and held 1t up to permit the light to stream full on the exposed wall to the right. Another of these odd SlItS in the rock was visible here, and the girl was able to perceive more clearly its nature -beyond question it was an artificial l opening. leading into q space on the farther side of the wall. CateraS push ed past the girl, his body interfering with her view, and bent down, fum- bling along the rock surface.
 Hold the light closer" he command l .,.. .l,r's 1T r-Tfs Snroa S-icLy to find the thing An, now have It."
 It seemed like a bit of wood, so re- Sembling the color of the rock as to be practically impcrccptible 10 the eye in that dim Iight-a bit of wood which slid back to reveal a heavy iron 5Olr, shot firmly into the stone. This the Mexican forced back and an opening yawned in the side wall. the rays of the lantern revealing the interior of a black cave. CateraS stepped within.
 "Bring the woman" he commanded shortly. land you. Merodez, see first to the light
 Silva thrust her forward, his grip Do light one, while the other struck a J match and applied 1t to the wick of lamp occupying a bracket beside the doorway. As this caught the full in- terior was revealed beneath the sickly 1 glow, a cell-llke place, although of a 1 fair size. unfurniShed except for q rude bench, and one thrce-leCged stool, ! the floor of stone. and the sides and ! roof apparently of the same solid struc- | ture. It was gloomy, bare, horrible | in its drearnesS-a yeritable grave. The girl covered her face with her hands, appalled, at the sight, unnerved at the thought of being left alone in 1 such a place. Cateras saw the move ment, and laughed, gazing about care | leSSly. Some boudoir, SenOrta," he said meaniugly. Well, we wll see what can be done for you later. Perhaps | a few hours in such hole may work a miracle. When I come again you 1 will be glad to see even me. I'll leave you to think 1t over; then I'll come back for an answer. Until then, senOr- ita, adiOs."a
 The fellow lifted his hat, and step ped back into the passage, his manner | insolent She remained motionless, contempt in her eyes, but in truth hopeless and crushed. Silva closed the door silently, although her ears caught the click of the bolt when it was shot 1 home.
 No sound of retreating footsteps reached her through the thick wall. The stiffness of her prison seemed I to strike her like blow. For mo- ment she stood staring at the bare wall, her lips parted, her limbs treIn- bling from the reaction of excitement; then she stepped forward, and felt along the smooth surface of rock. i The door fitted so closely she could not ara, ,latarmfDn it's av1gf outlines