scanned the edge of the embankment, if perchance he might
see anything of his persecutor. There was nothing in sight and he
decided to go on a tour of inspection. As quietly as possible he
stole along the side of the excavation toward the spot where the
ruin stood, when once more he had that sense of being watched.

Turning his head quickly, he saw the ape about twenty paces to
one side aiming the revolver at him.

Then Billie lost his temper.

"This thing has got to stop," he exclaimed. "I'll be doggoned if
I'm going to stand for it any longer."

He ran quickly toward the ape, and fell on his knees as he had
seen the ape do, and raised his hands in supplication.

The animal quirked its head and fairly beamed with pleasure as it
slowly advanced and stood beside him.

But its simian smile was quickly turned to surprise, for like a
flash Billie snatched the weapon from its hand and aimed it at
the animal's head.

"Now," he said, "you come with me."

The animal made no move.

"We'll see whether you will come or not," said Billie, and
stooping down he broke off a good-sized sprout from a live oak.
"Now, march!" and he raised the whip.

It was the one thing needed. The beast had evidently felt the
touch of a whip before, for it raised its arm and danced about as
though going through some circus maneuver.

"The first mystery is solved," laughed Billie. "Now for the
second one. Come on, Ab," unconsciously naming his companion
after the hero of Stanley Waterloo's famous story.

The ape seemed to know what was wanted and the two proceeded
slowly and silently toward the ruin.

"I've been in a whole lot of queer scrapes," mused Billie as he
crept along, "but this is surely the queerest--tramping around
with an ape to solve the disappearance of ten cutthroats. I hope
I wake up pretty soon."

But it was no dream, as Billie was soon to discover.

Arriving at the ruined building, Billie crawled along by the wall
until he came directly under what had once been a window. Then,
after listening a long time and hearing no sound, he ventured to
raise his head and peep in.

The old ruin was as empty as though there were not a living
person within fifty miles.

"Great Scott!" gasped the boy. "What do you think of that! Now I
know I'm dreaming!"

He turned to the ape, waving his whip.

"Here you, Ab," he said, "go in there and see what you can find."

He pointed to the window and the animal sprang lightly in and a