feelings, also stalked away without another word and lay down on his
pallet. A moment later he was fast asleep.

"Do you suppose there is need for one of us to stand watch, Ivan?"
asked Hal.

"I do not believe so," was the reply. "No one knows where my cavern is
and we are not likely to be disturbed."

"I vote we turn in immediately then," said Colonel Edwards.

"Second the motion," said Colonel Anderson. "We've got to be on the move
early and we've got to have some sleep first."

"Here goes, then," said Chester, and moved to his own place.

The others also sought their pallets and soon there was silence in the
cavern. Completely worn out, the travelers slept like logs.

Several hours later, had they not been so completely exhausted, the
sleepers undoubtedly would have heard strange noises from that part of
the cavern in which Nicolas had been confined.

Came a faint grinding sound, which gradually became louder and louder,
but which, after a time, ceased altogether. Then came a softer sound,
that of footsteps coming slowly from the dark passageway; and a moment
later Nicolas himself stepped into the glare of the fire.

His clothing was torn about the shoulders and his open hands dripped
little drops of blood. He rubbed them together tenderly.