Graham guardian., 1920-05-28
CHAPTER VI.

Allen Barrows had faced danger
many times. but never did he expert
ence the sensation that came creeping
over him as he crnwled through the
dark hole in the rocks. II was not
fear for himself but fear lest false
move on his part might result In the
death of the captives which he sought
Slowly he crawled in the darkness
through a long tunnel. pausing occa,
sionaly to listen. but only the beating
Of his own heart thrObbing with anx.
lous anticipation, could he hear. Amid
dense gloom, he pressed forward feel
ing his way with greatest precaution.
His heart sank with disappointment
ss he found himself at the end OF the
ragged passageway. Rising on his
hands and knees. he began an lnvesti-
cation which resulted in the discovery
Of an extremely irregular excavation
leading to the left. Following this.
Allen found himself In an apartment
large excavation. Around II he
carefully felt his way. Suddenly he
stopped-large beads OF cold persplra-
tion stood upon his heated brow
there was something alive not far
from him--he sensed II. With every
nerve tense he listened. Soon he de.
tected slow breathing. Whether II
was human being or an animal he
did not know. Cautiously he crept
toward the animated object. until con-
vinced he was within striking dis
tance. Slowly he got firmly set with
both knees slightly of the ground. his
right foot braced against rock. his
whole form rigid. For a moment he
hesitated. Then, like flash. his body
shot through the darkness-and landed
on something soft and alive. A deep
groan choked TO a faint gasp and Allen
found his fingers tightly fastened
around a short. thick neck. Feeling
the form of man wrigglng and fight.
ing desperately beneath his own body.
Allen clenched that neck with all the
strength at his command. Two power.
full legs closed around his body like
steel jaws. So tightly was he held
that his breath came hard. And II
seemed every bone In his body would
break. Twisting and turning, do what
he would. there was no getting out OF
that yice-llke grip that was squeezing
the very life out Of him. Deeper and
deeper sank his finger nails into the
bearded flesh. and tighter and tighter
his fingers closed about It. Then some
thing sharp and cold pierced his side,
and something warm ran down his
body, Quickly concentrating his en-
tire strength. he grabbed the woolly
head between his hands. lifted II free
from the ground, and with all his force
snapped II on the hard earth. In an
instant the form lay limp at his feet
II was none too soon, for knife blade
had penetrated his arm.
With handkerchief Allen gagged
the victim and pieces from his badly
torn shirt served to tie the hands aud
feet
Again dropping cautiously on hands
and knees, Allen crept slowly forward.
Thus approaching. he went brayely
through another passage until brought
TO halt by hole In the rock. Could
II be there was another passage and he
had taken the wrong one? This he
was Incllned to believe until he found
an opening to the right. No sooner
had he entered the new passage than
he heard something move. Instantly
he vlSuallsed Mexican Mike lying In
walt, Tor well he knew that II was Don
peiro's bewhskered throat In which