"I don't know what I shall find in here!" he mused, as he came into
the light of a great fire, "but I'll know all about it right soon!"




CHAPTER X

"PACKED AWAY LIKE SARDINES"


Even in that underground room Ned could hear the shooting outside and
the screams of the aggravated mule. Several weapons seemed to be
pouring out lead, and the boy wondered if the outlaws were getting
the range of his chum.

The firing seemed to grow fainter as he advanced into the room.
Either the outlaws were pursuing Frank or the shooters were taking
refuge behind rocks which deadened the sound.

At first the boy kept his eye out for an attack on himself, but there
seemed to be none of the outlaws left in the subterranean place. The
fire was built at one side, and the light from it filled the whole
apartment. Counterfeit dollars lay about, scattered over the floor as
if dropped in great haste.

Halting in the center of the room, after closing and baring the outer
door, Ned put his fingers to his lips and gave out a low whine, one
of the signals used by the boys of the Wolf Patrol. While he listened
for a response, the firing outside came nearer, or appeared from the