door from above, he had found by investigation. There was but one
way to get to Miss Gray, and that was by means of a daring ruse.
Trusting to luck, he tapped gently on the floor at the spot where memory
told him the trap-door was situated. His heart was thumping violently.

There was a movement below him, and then the sound of some one handling
the bolts in the door. Bonner drew back, hoping against hope that a
light would not be shown. In one hand he held his revolver ready for
use; in the other his heavy walking stick. His plans were fully
developed. After a moment the trap was lifted partially and a draft of
warm air came out upon him.

CHAPTER XXII

Jack, the Giant Killer

"That you, Sam?" half whispered a man's voice. There was no light.

"Sh!" hissed Bonner, muffling his voice. "Is everybody in?"

"Bill's waitin' fer you outside. Ma an' me are here. Come on down.
What's up?"

"How's the girl?"

"Bellerin' like a baby. Ma's with her in the cave. Hurry up! This
thing's heavy."

For reply Bonner seized the edge of the door with his left hand, first
pushing his revolver in his trousers' pocket. Then he silently swung the
heavy cane through the air and downward, a very faint light from below
revealing the shock head of Davy in the aperture. It was a mighty blow
and true. Davy's body fell away from the trap, and a second later
Bonner's dropped through the hole. He left the trap wide open in case
retreat were necessary. Pausing long enough to assure himself that the
man was unconscious and bleeding profusely, and to snatch the big
revolver from Davy's person, Bonner turned his attention to the
surroundings.

Perhaps a hundred feet away, at the end of a long, low passage, he saw
the glimmer of a light. Without a second's hesitation he started toward
it, feeling that the worst of the adventure was past. A shadow coming
between him and the light, he paused in his approach. This shadow
resolved itself into the form of a woman, a gigantic creature, who
peered intently up the passage.

"What's the matter, Davy?" she called in raucous tones. "You damn fool,
can't you do anything without breaking your neck? I reckon you fell down
the steps? That you, Sam?"

Receiving no answer, the woman clutched the lantern and advanced boldly
upon Bonner, who stood far down the passage, amazed and irresolute. She
looked more formidable to him than any of the men, so he prepared for a
struggle.

"Halt!" he cried, when