r by the wall. Then like a shot he
rolled quickly over and over into the darkness beyond the lighted
area. His voice, harsh and powerful shouted.

"Get them, quick!"

A hail of lead swept the air over his head as Puffy jerked backward.

"It's the firing squad," Adams shouted. He dropped to one knee and
opened up wide.

Lardner was snarling something unintelligible. Guns swept around on
the men by the wall. Then from within the circle of men compressed
hell broke loose. Someone was opening up a deadly fire from within the
ranks. Gunmen screamed in pain and turned their guns in every
direction, trying to determine who had betrayed them.

"Run for it, Drake. Down the tunnel."

The voice was vaguely familiar. Drake didn't hesitate. He clutched
Adams' arm and together they dashed into the blackness ahead. From
behind them, the sound of gun shots ceased. Only loud groans of pain
drifted to them as they went forward through the midnight blackness.
Then, far behind, single footsteps followed them hesitantly.

Lardner was still alive. Drake had heard him curse softly as they
passed him. He felt blood on Puffy's arm.

"You're hurt," he said quietly. "Where did it hit?"

"Just a nick." Puffy sounded game. "Glanced off the shoulder. A bit of
shirt will fix it up. Say! That was a nice poke you took at Lardner."

* * * * *

The tunnel grew wider. Far ahead a pale shower of colored light tossed
against the walls like a weak rainbow. There wasn't a sound ahead or
behind them. Drake led the way swiftly. The light seemed stronger,
drawing them toward its source.

Then they stood on the edge of a great chamber. From the walls of the
circular room a barbaric curtain of rainbowed color sprayed down
toward its center.

It flashed and changed as they watched with wide eyes, changing into
rich shades of purple, gold, orchid and startling the eye with its
everchanging spectrum.

In the direct center of the chamber on a raised dais stood the huge
carved statue of a marble polar bear. It towered ten feet high, a
magnificent standing beast with lifted outstretched paw. On the back
of the bear a small throne had been carved. The blinding flood of
color that converged on the throne, hid anything that might be seated
there.

Drake clutched his companion's arm.

"Look!"

He pointed toward the low pit that surrounded the statue.

Puffy nodded.

"The biggest fox farm in the world," he said dryly.