hly cut sapling across its front, and slipping
either end of it into rustic slots that had been hastily fashioned for
the purpose.

It was plain that there was only one way to get Patsy outside of that
cabin, and that was to overcome Cremation Mike; and, having determined
upon this, Nick crept forward as silently as a shadow, and so rounded
the corner of the cabin, and presently came up half standing, directly
behind the unsuspecting outlaw.

Nick did not wish to kill the man, but he did want to knock him out so
effectually that he could not interfere in what was to follow, and
therefore he had picked up a piece of round, smooth stone, which he had
wrapped in his handkerchief.

And now, with this improvised weapon, he struck Cremation Mike sharply
on the back of his head, with the result that Mike pitched forward, and
would have fallen to the ground had not Nick managed to catch him. Then
he laid him down gently upon the ground, and turning swiftly, opened the
door of the cabin.

"Quick, Patsy!" he called in a sharp whisper. "It is I. Nick. Come."

Patsy, who had not been bound, it seemed, leaped to the door with a low
exclamation of surprise and pleasure.

"Bully, Nick," he whispered. "I thought it was all up with me that time.
And do you know, it never once occurred to me that the old man might be
you. The disguise is perfect."

"Come," said Nick. "There is no time for words now. Follow me, and do
exactly as I do. I want to get back to my own sleeping place before my
absence is discovered, if it is possible to do so. But, first, is there
any sort of a chair or stool inside that cabin?"

"Yes. A stool."

"Bring it out, if you know where to put your hand upon it."

Patsy brought it in a twinkling, and, placing it against the stump, Nick
propped the senseless form of Mike upon it, so that from the front it
appeared as if he were seated there quite naturally.

"He will come around presently," said Patsy, "and miss me."

"Let him. That is what I want him to do," replied Nick. "Come on, now."

He dropped upon his knees again, and, with Patsy following, they crept
around through the grass again along the edge of the cliff, and at last
reached the cabin from which the detective had started.

But he did not stop here. He made at once for the entrance to the
cavern, which was near at hand, and passed inside, with Patsy following
closely behind him; and then with his electric flash light, he led the
way along th