nswered.

"There's one thing about you boys I really like," the sheriff returned
with a hearty laugh. "The third degree makes about as much impression on
you as it would on the Sphinx or on the Goddess of Liberty in New York
harbor."

"That was the third degree, was it, then?" asked Will.

"Do you think I'd string up a lot of babies?" demanded the sheriff.

"Run along, now!" Tommy exclaimed. "Run along, Mr. Officer, and tell
your men to bring up a lot of dry wood."

The officers made their way out, followed by George and Tommy, but Will
and Chester still remained under ground.

"Did you hear anything in this tunnel?" asked Chester.

"I thought I did hear a moan, but the sheriff was talking in that voice
of his at the time and I wasn't certain."

"Well," Chester said, "I believe father's in here somewhere."

"Why do you think that?"

"I've told you about how he wanted to move to this cavern, haven't I?
And how he spent considerable time here?"

"You certainly have."

"And about my suspicions that he informed the outlaws of the underground
passages?"

"Yes, you told me all that."

"Then you heard what the robbers said about some one having moved the
stone, or gone in during their absence?"

"I had entirely forgotten that!" declared Will.

"Well, then, don't you see," Chester continued, "that they must have
been speaking of father? That's why I think he's in here."

"Perhaps we'd better follow this channel and see if we can find him,"
Will suggested. "It does seem as if he might be here."

The bed of the old channel was very steep, and the boys scrambled up it
with difficulty. After proceeding a few paces they heard a low groan and
their flashlight showed the figure of a man lying on a narrow ledge of
rock on the south side.

Chester darted forward instantly, almost falling on his face in his
eagerness to reach his father and bent over the figure.

"It's father!" he shouted back to Will.

"Alive?"

"I'm afraid not."

Will lost no time in gaining the boy's side.

The ex-convict lay with his face turned upward, his arms folded across
his breast. At first there were no indication of life.

CHAPTER XIX

SHERIFF PETE'S WINK

"He can't be dead!" cried Chester, trying to lift the still figure in
his arms. "The wound he received was not a serious one."

"I'll tell you what I think," Will replied.

"I think he's weak from lack of food and sleep I don't believe these
train robbers have