nication door between the
pilot's cabin and the waiting gangsters. As he came, he jerked the
helmet and goggles from his eyes. A hard smile on his heavy face left
no doubt as to his frame of mind.

"Hello, Drake," the mouth a mask of expressionless hate. "I take my
hat off to you. Never gave Cinderella Drake credit for being anything
but a whiskey mill."

Jim stood up slowly, knowing these minutes might be his last. Fear was
in his heart. Not for himself, but for the doom that faced Sylvia
Fanton unless she could be warned of Lardner's coming. There was no
doubt in Jim Drake's mind that this frozen valley was the home of the
fox people and their queen.

Lardner wasn't the soft night club owner now. The man was short and
stocky, but with bulging arms that were tensed for action. The dark
face was filled with devilish purpose.

"I'd like to know why we weren't thrown out of the plane last night
with the others?" Drake said quietly.

"Oh! That?" Lardner chuckled. "I knew you were headed toward this
valley and I thought you'd appreciate the lift."

"For your information," Drake answered coolly, "we took the plane for
Winnipeg. Where we are now I haven't the slightest idea."

George Lardner started toward the outer door. He whipped around
savagely, his face twisted into a hateful grimace.

"All right, play boy," he snapped. "You asked for it. Now it's my
turn. I know you helped Sylvia Fanton to escape. I know you had a part
in stealing the diamond, and I also know you are in love with the
girl. That, if you'll have the truth, is why you are with us now."

A hissing sigh escaped Puffy Adams' lips. He was beginning to
understand now why Lardner had not shot them both long ago.

"So I am to act as decoy," Drake said. "If you think I'll let you
torture that girl, you're a madman."

Lardner ignored him. He pushed the outer door of the cabin open and
dropped heavily to the cave floor.

"Unpack your stuff, boys," he ordered crisply. "And keep an eye on our
guests. I want them to be safe and comfortable."

The gangsters closed in, and some of them started for the baggage
compartment.

A ring of steel closed about the pair.

"Out, quick," one of the plug uglies mumbled. "And don't try to get
away."

* * * * *

To Drake's surprise the cave was warm, as though heated from some
vast, hidden source of fire. Lardner was well ahead of them, going
cautiously down the long tunnel. A flash