said the amused Tom. "But my pistol
isn't loaded. It is my old service automatic and needs repairing,
anyway."

"Don't fret, Cameron. Mine is loaded all right," said Chess grimly.

"Then you stay and guard the cave," said Tom.

"You bet you! You couldn't get me away from here until you have sent for
the sheriff and he comes for the gang. I believe we have done a good
night's work."

"Oh, you were wonderful!" Helen burst out. "And Ruth says they knocked
you down and hurt you."

"I shall get over that all right," returned Chess quietly.

But when they were out of the passage and on the open shore Helen
insisted upon fussing around Chessleigh, bathing the lump on his head,
and otherwise "mothering" him in a way that secretly delighted Ruth. Tom
looked at his sister in some amazement.

"What do you know about that?" he whispered to Ruth. "She was as sore at
him as she could be an hour ago."

"You don't know your own sister very well, Tom," retorted Ruth.

"Humph!" ejaculated Tom Cameron. "Perhaps we fellows don't understand any
girl very well."

But Ruth was not to be led into any discussion of that topic then. It was
agreed that she and Helen and Tom should hurry back to the motion picture
camp at once.

"The King of the Pipes won't bite you," Tom said to Chess. "Only don't
let him go back into the cave. Those fellows might do him some harm. And
the sheriff will want him for a witness against the gang. He is not so
crazy as he makes out to be."

The night's adventures were by no means completed, for Ruth and Helen
could not go to bed after they reached the bungalow until they knew how
it all turned out. Mr. Hammond had returned before them, and Willie and
Tom started at once for Chippewa Bay in the _Gem_.

The capture of Bilby in connection with the smugglers and Chinese runners
delighted the motion picture producer.

"That will settle the controversy, I believe," Mr. Hammond said to the
two girls. "Bilby's attempt to annoy us must fall through now. We will
get Totantora and Wonota back from Canada and finish the picture
properly. But, believe me! I have had all the experience I want with
freak stars. The expense and trouble I have been put to regarding Wonota
has taught me a lesson. I'd sell my contract with Wonota to-morrow--or
after the picture is done--for a song."

Ruth looked at him steadily for a moment.

"Do you mean that, Mr. Hammond?" she asked quietly.

"Yes, I do."

Helen laughed. "I gue