eril's recently aroused suspicion concerning the sex of the
wearer of that golf costume was reduced to a certainty, while by the
other he gained his first clue to the mine of which he was in search.

At the moment, however, these things merely flashed through his mind;
for he realized that the present was neither the time nor the place to
discuss them. The two helpless ones, so wonderfully intrusted to his
care, must be removed at once from the place in which they had
suffered so keenly. Both he and the major agreed that it would be best
to take them out by way of the shaft, and though they were full of
curiosity as to how the Darrells came into their distressing position,
both manfully refrained from asking questions until they had escorted
them to the entrance. For this forbearance the major deserved even
greater credit than his young friend; for as yet he had no knowledge
of who the strangers were, nor how it happened that they seemed to
know Peveril.

[Illustration: RESCUED FROM THE SHAFT]

Arrived at the shaft, it was decided that the major should ascend
first, to prepare those at the top for what was coming, as well as to
receive the old man, who would be sent up next. As he adjusted the
rope about his body, he whispered to Peveril, who was assisting him:

"Who are they?"

"Darrells," was the laconic answer.

"Not old man Darrell of the 'Folly'?"

"Yes."

"And his daughter?"

"I believe so," replied the young man, at the same time wondering how
the other had discovered so quickly the rightful sex of the apparent
lad.

"But how on earth do they happen to know you?"

"They ought to, seeing that the old man has shot at me twice; while
Miss Darrell and I have met several times, and on one occasion, at
least, she saved my life."

"Whew! No wonder you greet each other like old friends," rejoined the
major, as he swung off over the black pool and began slowly to ascend
the ancient shaft.

When the rope was again lowered it brought some bits of stout cord for
which Peveril had asked, and with these he fastened the old man so
securely into the loop that there was no possibility of his falling
out. Although Ralph Darrell was still highly excited and talked
constantly, he readily agreed to every proposition made by his
daughter, and offered no objection to going up the shaft.

As he swung out from the platform, and those above began to hoist on
the rope, his daughter bent anxiously forward to note his prog