e it from the house, but it proved too heavy for
them, and they were now trying to break it open with an ax which they
had found in one of the lower rooms.

Ted had heard the blows as they beat upon the lock, and in the din it
was not a difficult thing for the broncho boys to get into the house
without being heard.

Several of the Wolves, in searching the lower part of the house, had
discovered the locked room in which Stella and the other two were in
hiding.

They had attempted to batter down the door, only to be driven from it by
shots sent at them by Stella and Caruthers.

"Trouble back there, Bud," said Ted. "I guess some one is trying to get
at Stella. Take a couple of the boys, and go back and stop it."

"What are you goin' ter do?" asked Bud, who was afraid the rescuing
assignment would cut him out of the fight above stairs.

Just at that moment there was a tremendous explosion overhead, the crash
of glass and the triumphant yells of the Gray Wolves.

"I'm going upstairs," yelled Ted. "When you've driven off or captured
these fellows down here, come up."

At this he dashed away for the broad stairs that led to the upper story,
followed by the broncho boys and Major Caruthers.

They had just reached the landing above when the yell of triumph turned
to one of baffled rage, for the Wolves had found that the safe was
empty.

Ted Strong, with a look such as a conquering warrior might wear, burst
into the room where the Wolves were clustered around the empty safe.

Behind him followed the boys.

"Surrender!" shouted Ted.

The Gray Wolves wheeled to look into a perfect battery of rifles. Not to
surrender meant death. To attempt to raise a hand would bring a shot, or
a dozen.

The Gray Wolves realized that they were in a trap, and that if they made
the least resistance they would be shot down.

"Throw your guns on the floor!" commanded Ted.

He was obeyed.

"Gather up those guns," said Ted. Bud and Clay stepped forward, and
gathered in the rifles and revolvers.

Ted's eyes were running over the group of prisoners trying to pick out
Mowbray, when suddenly there was a smashing of glass, and, as he turned
in that direction, he saw a form taking a flying leap through the window
to the ground, and, quick as a flash, he fired and rushed to the window.

But when he got there his only reward was the sight of a man on
horseback headed for the hills, swaying dangerously in his saddle.

Mowbray had escaped