I've been searching all
over for you, since I got back to your cave and found it empty. Now I'm
going to free you. I got in here by a secret entrance. Wait, I'll cut
your ropes." There was a slight sound, and an instant later Tom was
freed from his bonds.

CHAPTER XXIV--IN GREAT PERIL

The young inventor could scarcely believe the good luck that had so
unexpectedly come to him and his companions. No sooner was Tom able to
move freely about than Bill Renshaw performed the same service for Mr.
Jenks and the others, cautioning them to be quiet as he awakened them,
and cut the ropes.

"Bless my circulation!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, in a hoarse whisper. "How
did you ever get here. I'd given ourselves up for lost."

"Oh, I came in off the mountain, as there's a big storm due," explained
the man. "There was no need of me playing the haunt in daytime, anyhow.
I went to the cave, found you and your things gone, and I surmised that
you might have walked into some trap."

"We did," admitted Mr. Jenks, grimly.

"Well, I hunted around until I found you," went on Bill. "This mountain
is honeycombed with caves, all opening from the large one, I know them
better than these fellows do, so I could explore freely, and keep out of
their sight. They didn't know that there was a second entrance to this
place, but I did, and I made for it, when I couldn't find you in some of
the other caves where I looked. And, sure enough, here you were."

"Well, we can't thank you enough," said Mr. Parker. "But you say there
is a big storm coming?"

"One of the biggest that's been around these parts in some time,"
replied Bill.

"Then perhaps the mountain will be destroyed," went on the scientist, as
calmly as if he had remarked that it might rain.

"I hope nothing like that happens until we get away," spoke Mr. Damon,
fervently.

"What had we better do?" inquired Tom.

"Get away, unless you want to discover some more of their secrets,"
advised Bill. "Those fellows are planning something, but I can't find
out what it is. They are suspicious of me, I think. But they are up to
something, and I believe, it would be best for you to leave while you
have the chance. It may not be healthy to stay. That's why I did my best
to untie you."

"We appreciate what you have done," declared Mr. Jenks, "but I want my
rights. I must learn a few more facts about how to make diamonds from
lightning flashes, and then I will have the same secret they cheate