Part 44 (2/2)
He heard cries of rage from the shack at the mouth of the cave.
Advancing into it, but keeping himself concealed, Jack peered out. He noted that the automobile was gone, and from the absence of Paul and Walter he argued that they had driven away in it.
The talk of the men confirmed this.
”They've dished us!” exclaimed one, angrily.
”The car's gone!” faltered another. ”We were too slow!”
”What are we going to do?” asked a third.
”Cut and run for it!” some one answered. ”The game is up. Scatter, and we'll meet again, later. Lively's the word!”
Jack looked out to see the two men he and his chums had observed before, with a third one, start for the wooded slope of the mountain. Then he saw the old man and the half-witted helper.
”Wait-wait for me!” pleaded the aged one. ”I can't run fast, I'm all crippled with rheumatism! Wait!”
”We can't wait. Look out for yourself,” one man flung back unfeelingly over his shoulder. ”It's every one for himself.”
”Ah! desert me, would you!” cried the old man, shaking his fist at the fleeing ones. ”But I'll get even with you. Old Jason will get even! I'll let the girls out of the cave, and tell them the whole story! I'll let the girls out of the secret room in the cave!”
Jack had been in two minds whether to advance and speak to the old man, or follow the fleeing ones, but as he heard these words he knew something else now called for his attention.
”The girls in the cave!” he murmured. ”It must be Cora and the others he means. They must have gone into the cave while we were in town. I've got to rescue them. Let the men go! I must help the girls.”
Catching up his lantern, Jack dashed back into the dark cavern.
”I'm coming, girls! I'm coming!” he cried. ”To the rescue!”
CHAPTER x.x.x-ALL'S WELL
Walter and Paul, hurrying to aid Jack, whom they had left in the cave, came in sight of the shack just as the old man and his helper were turning back into it. The two boys did not glimpse the three fleeing men who had by this time disappeared among the trees.
”Look-look at that!” gasped Paul, rubbing his eyes. ”Am I dreaming, Wally, or is that an ape or a human being?”
”It's real enough-some sort of a crazy chap, I should say. But what's he doing?”
”Calling down the vengeance of heaven, I guess,” observed Paul, for they saw the old man shaking his fist in the air.
”Hurry up and we'll speak to him,” urged Walter. ”Somehow I think he's part of the mystery.”
They reached the old man just as he was turning back into the shack. He did not seem greatly surprised to see them.
”Will that-er-fellow hurt us?” asked Walter.
”Not unless I tell him to. Are you the police?”
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