t they were at the proper level,
they searched for an approach to the desired ledge. The dog found the
scent by the tunnel, but Brant did not loose the animal. Stone's eyes
caught traces of where a bowlder had been moved. A little more
searching revealed the opening covered by the stone, which they rolled
aside.

"But he's not there, now," Brant declared, as he restrained the eager
dog. "Jack is wild to be off, and he wouldn't take a back track."

Uncle Dick, eager to make sure, would have attempted the passage, but
Stone interposed.

"I'll go," he declared. "It's my right--my prisoner, you know. Anyhow,
it'll be a snug-enough fit for me, and I'm smaller than you, Uncle
Dick."

The old man grudgingly admitted the fact, and made way for the
marshal. In five minutes, Stone was back.

"Nobody there," he announced.

"Then it's up to Jack," Brant exclaimed, and slipped the leash.

The hound shot forward in full cry. The men hurried after at top
speed. Almost immediately, the dog vanished among the thickets. There
came a clatter of sliding stones, as the big beast went galloping up
the rise toward the crest of the mountain. The men followed as best
they might, guided by the baying. Uncle Dick listened with
bloodthirsty hopefulness for the crack of Zeke's rifle, which he would
recognize.

The fugitive himself heard the hound's sonorous summons, and wasted
breath in cursing. He cursed his potations over-night, which had led
him to sleep beyond the sunrise. But for such drunken folly, he would
have had the trailer hopelessly at fault. Now, at best, it would be a
close race--and there was the girl to hamper and hinder. She was
running at his side, obedient to the pressure of his hands. He had
replaced the cowhide thong, with her hands in front of her, and with
play enough for free movement. So far, she had made no resistance to
his commands. But the barking of the dog would warn her. If she should
turn balky--

What the outlaw feared, came to pass. The hoarse baying sounded to
Plutina's ears like sweetest music. The first note told her that
friends were at hand for a rescue from the monster by her side. Her
heart leaped in the joy of it. A new courage surged in her--courage to
defy this creature that held her in thrall.

They were come already across the most of the plain of naked rock that
is the top of the mountain. They had rushed without pause through the
little grove of dwarf pines that grows near the Devil's S