From under one of the cars a muffled voice answered, "Here I am."
Then Gladys, sobbing and shaking, emerged into view.

"I was so frightened!" cried the child. "I just had to hide."

"The men have gone away, dear," explained her mother soothingly.
"And now we're going too. We'll be safe after this."

At that instant three shots, fired in rapid succession, rang out.




CHAPTER III

JIM'S "ARMY" APPEARS


"Down on your faces!" called the older of the armed men with the
motor party.

"Not necessary," spoke Tom, dryly. "The shots were fired by Jim
Ferrers's army."

"And I missed the pesky critter, too!" spoke Jim's voice, resentfully,
as he showed his head over the edge of the cliff, where three puffs
of smoke slowly ascended.

"Don't show yourself, Jim! Careful!" Reade warned their guide.