HuntingForHiddenGold

ByFranklinW.Dixon

HUNTINGFORHIDDENGOLD

CHAPTERIDangerintheFog

"SOMEBODY'Sgoingtogethurt!"FrankHardyexclaimed.He andhis four companions paused in the darkeningwoods and listened asrifleshotsandloudlaughterrangoutfromanearbyridge."Carelesshunters,"Frank'sbrotherJoesaidgrimly.Joewasseventeen,tallandblond,andayearyoungerthanFrank."Let'sgobacktothecabin,"urgedplumpChetMortonnervously."I'mhungry,anyhow."LankyBiffHooperagreed."Wecanlookforacampsitetomorrow.""Unless Frank and Joe are called away to solve a mystery," Tony Pritoneedled.Frankchuckled."There'sachancewewill-"Smack!AbulletthuddedintoatreeaninchfromJoe'shead!.Foramomenttherewasstunnedsilence.ThenFrankaskedquickly,"Joe,areyouallright?"Hisbrothergulpedandlookedatthegashinthebark."I'mokay.Butoneinchcloser-"Biff Hooper's handsome face flushed with anger. "I'm going after those

fellows!"hedeclared.Ashespoke,threehunterscameintoview."Holdit!"Frankhailedthem."Youmennearlykilledmybrother!""Whydon'tyoubecareful?"Joeshouted."Sorry,boys,"oneofthemencalledbackcasually.Heandhiscompanionsdidnotstop;instead,theymovedonthroughtheundergrowth."Isthatallyou'vegottosay?"Chetbellowed."Forgetit,kid,"anotherofthehuntersreplied."Nobodygothurt.""Stupid sportsmen!" growled Joe as the trio disappeared. He added to hiscompanions,"Youfellowsnearlylostonebusinesspartner."ThefiveboyshadpooledmoneytobuildtheirowncabinandwereexploringthedeepwoodsnorthofBayportlookingforacampsite.To relieve the tensioncausedby thenearaccident,TonyPrito said jokingly,"We'reusedtotheideaoflosingyouandFrank.Everytimewestartaproject,youtwogetinvolvedinamystery."FrankandJoewerethesonsofFentonHardy,thewell-knowndetective.Theyhadsolvedmanymysteriesontheirownandsometimescooperatedwiththeirfatheronhiscases.Biffgrinned."Amazing!We'vebeenhereonewholeday,andyouHardysarestillwithus!"FrankwinkedatJoe."Wemayhavetoleave,"headmitted."Dad'sonacaseoutWestandwe'rehopingwe'llgetacalltogoandhelphim."Theothersgroaned,thenlaughed."Infact,"Joeadded,"wemightevenfindacluerightaroundhere.""What!"chorusedtheHardys'pals."RememberwhenFrankandIinquiredatthestoreaboutamannamedMikeOnslow?"Joewenton,"Dadaskedustokeepaneyeoutforhim.Onslowlivessomewhereinthesewoods,andhemayhavesomeusefulinformationthattiesinwithDad'scase.""Comeon,"saidChet."Let'seatandtalklater."Theboyspushedonthroughthegrowingdarkness.Fogwasbeginningtoriseby the time they reached the edge of the clearing where their rented cabinstood. As they crossed to the crude log house, rifleshots sounded in thedistance.Chetwinced."Thosecarelesshuntersarestillatit,"heremarked.TheboyswereabouttoenterthecabinwhenJoeexclaimed,"Quiet!"

Theyallhalted,listeningintently."Itsoundedlikeacry,"Joesaid.Theothershadheardnothing,andfinallywentinside."Hopenobodywasshotbythosefools,"Tonyremarked,lightingtheoillamp.FrankandJoebuiltafireinthefireplace,whileChetstartedsupperonawoodstove."Thisisabadplacetogethurt,"Biffsaid.Theboysweretenmilesfromthenearesttown,Clintville,andtheonlyroadwassteepandrutted.TheyhadborrowedMr.Hardy'scarforthetrip,buthadleftitintheClintvilleGarage.GeorgeHaskins,ownerofthetown'sonehotel,hadrentedthemthecabin,andhissonLennyhaddriventheboystoitinhisjeep."Itwouldn'tbeeasytogethelphere,"Joeagreed."Dinner's nearly ready,"Chet announced. "Bring chairs to the-"He stoppedshort. From the clearing outside came the sound of running feet and then afrantic hammering on the door. Tony strode over and opened it. LennyHaskins,alankyboy,stoodinthedoorway,panting."What'sthematter?"Tonyaskedtheyouth."FrankandJoeHardyhavealong-distancecallatthehotel,"theboyblurted,outofbreath."Fromwhere?"Frankasked."Don'tknow,"Lenny said. "There's troubleon the lineandall I couldmakeoutwasthatthepersonwouldcallbackinanhourorso.""Maybeit'sDad!"Frankexclaimed."I'llbetyou'reright,"Joeagreed."WetoldhimhecouldreachusthroughMr.Haskins.""Youfellowsgoaheadandeat,"saidFrank."JoeandIwillreturntothehotelwithLenny."WiththeHaskinsboyleadingtheway,theHardyshurriedacrosstheclearinganddownatrailthroughthemistywoodstotheroad.Theretheypiledintotherattletrapjeep."Hangon!"saidLenny,astheystartedabone-shakingridedownhill.TwentyminuteslaterthecarreachedMainStreetinClintvilleandcametoastopinfrontofHaskinsHotel.Thetelephonewasringingastheboysrushedin.Mr.Haskins seized the receiver from thewall telephone. "Yep!" he shoutedintothemouthpiece,thenhandedtheinstrumenttoFrank.

"ThisisHankShale,"cameavoice,barelyunderstandablethroughthestatic."Yourpaaskedmetocallandsayheneedsyourhelppronto.""IsDadokay?"Frankaskedloudly.The answer was drowned out by crackling noises over the wire. Then thevoicesaid,"GetheretoLuckyLode,"andthelinewentdead."HankShaleisthenameoftheoldfriendDadtoldushe'dbestayingwith,"Joerecalled."ButhowdoweknowthatwasreallyShale?""IheardtheoperatorsayitwasLuckyLodecalling,"putinMr.Haskins."Thatsettlesitthen,"Franksaidurgently."Somethinghashappened.WemusttakeoffrightawayandhelpDad!""There'samorningflighttotheWest,"Joesaid."We'llhavetomakeit!"After some difficulty, the boys managed to place a call to Lucky Lode,notifyingHankoftheirplantostartoutthenextday."Bettereatbeforeyougo,"thehotelproprietorsaidkindly.Gratefully the hungry boys joinedMr. Haskins and Lenny at a table in thekitchen.Whiletheyate,FrankandJoemadetheirplans.TheyaskedLennytotakethembacktothecabininhisjeepandwaitwhiletheypacked."Thenwe'llpickupourcarinthegarage,driveallnight,andmakeBayportbysunup.Anothercarcanbesentbacklaterfortheotherfellows."Afterthemeal,theHardysthankedMr.HaskinsandhurriedoutwithLenny.Soontheywereridingupthesteephillinthenoisyjeep.Joeshouted,"We'llhavetomovefastto-"Crash!Theoilpanofthejeephitarockintheroad.Thevehiclelurchedintotheditchandstoppedagainstatree."Wecansoonpushitbackontheroad,"Lennysaid,astheyclimbedout."Nouse.Wewouldn'tgetfar, thewayit's losingoil,"repliedFrankwhenhesawtheextentofthedamage."We'llwalktherestofthewayandyoucangobackforhelporanothercar."Lenny agreed and hurried down the hill as theHardys began hiking up therugged road.Their flashlightswere on, but the beams hardly penetrated thethickening fog.Often theystumbledover rocksand into ruts.Thenightwasrawanddamp.SuddenlyJoestopped."What'sthat?"Forasecondtheybothstoodstillandfromthewoodscameafaintcry."He-e-elp!""Comeon!"Franksaidtersely.

Theboyscutintothewoodsontheirright,andfelttheirwaythroughthemist-shroudedtrees.Lowbranchescuttheirfaces,andonceJoetrippedoverahugeoakroot.Againtheyheardthethincallforhelp."Overthere,"saidFrank,"wherethefogisdenser."Cautiously they moved forward. Suddenly the cry came more loudly-fromrightbelowtheirfeet!"Careful,"warnedFrank,feelingaheadwithhisfoot."There'saravinehere."Halfsliding,theboysworkedtheirwaydownthebank.AtthebottomFrankstumbledoversomethingbulkyandtherecameanothermoan.Hebeamedhislightonaprostratefigure."Hereheis,Joe,"saidFrank.Thetwoboyskneltbesidethevictim."Myleg,"themangroaned."I'vebeenshot."With extreme care Frank pulled aside the trouser cloth torn by the bullet."Doesn't seem tobemuchbleedingnow,but theremight bemorewhenwemoveyou."Quickly the boyswound their handkerchiefs loosely around theman'sthightouseasatourniquetifnecessary.Astheyliftedthemoaningfigure,hefainted."Notimetowaste,Joe.He'sprettyweak."Joepeeredaroundintotheblanketoffog."Supposewecan'tfindourcabin?"heaskedgrimly."Wemust,"Frankreplied."Thismanmaydieifwedon'tgethimtoshelter."

CHAPTERIIASuspiciousSummons

TOGETHER, theboys eased theunconsciousmanup thebank.ThenFrankhoistedhimoveroneshoulder."Luckyhe'snotabigfellow,"Joecommented.Hewentahead,beaminghis light through the fogand leadingFrankbyonehand.Gradually thewhitemistgrew lessdense,and theHardyscouldmakeouttheshapesoftrees."ThatlooksliketheoakwhereIstumbled,"Joesaid."Ithinkwegolefthere."Progresswasslowanduncertain.FinallyFranksaid,"Ifwedon'tcometotheroad soon,we'dbetterStop.Wemayhave lost our bearings andbeheading

deeperintothewoods."Totheboys'relief,theman'swoundbledlittle.Justastheywereabouttoturnback,Joefeltrockyrutsunderfootandexclaimed,"Here'stheroad!"CarefullyheandFrankbegan theclimbuphillandstruggled to the top.Thefog had drifted and lightened in spots. The boys trudged on. Finally, Frankcaught sight of the path which led to the clearing. A fewminutes later theHardysfoundthecabin,andFrankpoundedonthedoor.Biff opened it and exclaimed in amazement.Quickly he and the other boyshelped carry the man to one of the bunks and covered him. When Tonybroughttheoillampfromthetable,theysawthattheman'sfacewasdeeplyseamed by time and weather. Joe removed the man's worn woolen hat,revealingathickthatchofgrizzledhair.WhileFrankcutawaythevictim'strouserlegandexaminedthebulletwoundinhisthigh,Joequietlytoldtheothersallthathadhappened.Meantime,Biffunpackedtheirfirst-aidkit,andChetbeganheatingacanofsoup."Wemustget thismantoadoctor,"Franksaidashefinishedbandagingtheleg."Thebulletwillhavetoberemoved."The victim groaned and his eyes fluttered open. "Wh-where am I?" hewhispered.Joequicklyexplainedwhathadhappened."Sipthissoup,"Chettoldthepatient,"andyou'llfeelalotbetter.I'llfeedittoyou."Whenthestrangerhadfinishedthesoup,hesaidinastrongervoice,"Thankyou,boys,foramightygoodturn.IwishIcouldrepayyou.""Themost important thing is to get you to a doctor.We're expectingLennyHaskinstocomefor-"Frankbrokeoffastheoldmangaveastart."Isanythingwrong?""Say!WouldanyofyouboysbeFrankandJoeHardy?"thepatientinquiredinafeeblevoice.Thetwobrothersidentifiedthemselves."Iplumbforgot,gettin'shotbythatfoolhunterandall,"themanwenton,"butyou're the lads I was comin' to see. The storekeeper in Clintville said youwantedtogetintouchwithme.""AreyouMikeOnslow?"Frankqueried."Yep,that'sme.""Weaskedaboutyou,butthestorekeepertoldusyou'dprobablybeofftendingyourtraplines,"Frankwenton."Hedoubtedwe'dcatchyouathome,evenif

wecouldfindyourcabin."Onslow nodded. "My shack's pretty hard to get to if you don't know thesewoods.Icampoutquiteabit,anyhow,durin'thetrappin'season."Hegavethebrothersaquizzicallook."Whatyouwanttoseemeabout?""You'dbetternotdoanymoretalkingtillyou'restronger,"Joeadvised.Butthetrapperinsistedhefeltequaltoit,soFrankexplainedthattheirfatherwas a private detective and had been engaged to track down a gang ofcriminalsinMontana."Dad thinks theymaybeholedup somewhere in the country aroundLuckyLode,"Frankwenton."Heheardouttherethatyouhadprospectedthewholearea about twenty-five years ago and once tangled with crooks who had asecrethideoutinthoseparts."Joeadded,"Hethoughtyoumightknowofsomelikelyspotstohuntforthegang."Theelderly trapper sighedandsettledbackon thebunk.Hiseyes tookonafarawaylook."Yep, I know the Lucky Lode country like the palm of my hand," hemurmured."Don'treckonasIcanhelpyoumuch,though.Butyourpa'sright-Ididrunupagainstagango'owlhoots.""Tellusaboutit,"Frankurged."Well," Onslow began, "I was partners with two brothers, John and JamesCoulson, and a big redheaded daredevil, Bart Dawson.We were workin' aclaimintheBitterrootHillsandwesure'noughstruckitrich.""Gold?"Joeasked.Onslownodded."Realpaydirt-wethoughtwewerefixedforlife.Bythetimetheveinpeteredout,wehadthreebagso'nuggetsandoneofoldgoldcoinswefoundstashedbehindarock.""Wow!Whathappened?"putinTony."Thenightwewerereadytoleaveourclaim,wewerejumpedbythetoughestbuncho'crooksinMontana-BlackPepperandhisgang.Theysurroundedourcabin,andweknewwe'dnevergetawaywithourskinsandthegold.""Howdidyoumakeitfinally?"Chetasked."Well,BartDawsonwasanex-pilotandhehadanold,beat-upplaneoutonthe plateau. We'd already put the gold aboard-easier than luggin' it onhorseback.WhileweluredBlackPepperandhisboysaroundto thefrontofthecabin,Bartslippedoutbackandranforhiscrate.ThegangspottedBartandchasedhim.Weheardhismotor,soweknewhegotawayokay.Before

thevarmintscameback,therestofusescapedfromthecabin.""YoumetDawsonlater?"Joewantedtoknow.Onslow's face became bitter. "Wewere supposed tomeet himup inHelenaandsplitthegoldfourways.ButweneversawDawsonorthegoldagain.Funnypartofitis,Dawsonwasagoodpartner.I'dhavestakedmylifewecouldtrusthim.ButIwaswrong.""Didn't you ever hear of him afterward, or pick up his trail?" questionedFrank."Nope.Neverfoundhidenorhairo'him.Afterthat,Igotfedupprospectin'.So I come back East and settled down to scratchin' out a livin' with mytraplines.Ilosttracko'theCoulsonbrothers."Everyone was silent and thoughtful for a moment. Then Joe asked MikeOnslow, "Haveyou any ideas as towhereDadmight look for the criminalshe'safter?"Thewoodsmanchuckleddryly."Son, there'saheapo'placeshemight look-awful big country outMontana way. Themmountains is full o' spots for agangtoholeupin."Thetrapperfrowned."OnelikelyplacewasintheLoneTree area-a box canyon partway upWindyPeak.Accordin' to rumors, thatwasBlackPepper'shideout."TheHardyswereexcitedbythisinformation."Thanksforthetip,"saidFrank."It's tough luck, your getting shot tonight. Itwouldn't havehappened if youhadn'tstartedouttoseeus.Butmaybewecanmakeupforit.""Right!" Joe chimed in. "When we're out West, we'll try to find a clue toDawsonandyourmissinggold.""That'skindofyou,boys,"saidthetrapper,"butIdon'tthinkthere'smuchuse.IfDawsonreallystolethatgold,therewouldn'tbemuchleftaftertwenty-fiveyears.Allthesame,"headdedspunkily,"ifyou'rewillin'totry,I'llhelpyouifIcan."Onslowscratchedhisheadandwasthoughtfulforamoment."Don'tknowifit'lldoanygood,butI'lldrawyouamapofourclaim.""That'llbeastartingpoint,anyhow,"Franksaid.While theboyspackedtheHardys'gear,On-slowdrewamapforFrankandJoe. "Here'swhere theclaimwas,"hesaid,markinganX."This regionwascalledtheLoneTreeareabecauseofagiantpinewhichstoodallbyitselfonacliff.EverybodyoutthereknowsLoneTree,"headded.AsJoetuckedthemapintohispocket,someonepoundedonthedoor.ItwasLenny."Areyouready?"

heasked,panting."Thejeep'sfixed."FranktoldhimaboutfindingOnslowwiththegunshotwound.Thentheboysimprovisedastretcher,andFrankandJoecarriedtheinjuredtrapperouttothejeep. While they were placing him on the back seat, Tony, Chet, and BiffcollectedandstowedtheHardys'gear.AfewmomentslaterLennystartedtheengineandtheytookoff."Solong!"FrankandJoecalledfromthejeep."Goodluck!"chorusedChetandtheothers.When Lenny reached town, he drove straight to the local doctor's office.Despite their hurry, the Hardys waited to hear Dr. Knapp's report after thebullethadbeenremoved."He'llhavetostayoffthatlegandhavenursingcare,"Dr.Knappadvisedashewashedhishands."Heoughttogotothehospital.""Ihavenomoneyforthat,"Mikespokeup."I'lllookaftermyself.""No,youwon't,"Franksaidwithasmile."We'lltakeyoubacktoBayportwithus.""You bet!" his brother added. "Mother and Aunt Gertrude will like havingsomebodytofussover."Theinjuredmanprotestedthathedidnotwanttobeanuisance,buttheboyswontheirpoint.Afterpickinguptheircaratthegarage,theydroveallnightandarrivedinBayportatdawn.QuietlytheycarriedOnslowuptotheirroom.ThenFrankawakenedhismotherandexplainedwhathadhappened.She smiled understandingly and soon she andMr. Hardy's sister, Gertrude,werewelcomingthewoodsmanwarmly."Youlookasthoughyou'reinneedofagoodmeal,"MissHardystated.Shewasatall,sparewomanwithatarttonguebutawarmheart."We'llfixsomethingrightnow,"agreedtheboys'slim,attractivemother.AsFrankandJoehurrieddownstairsafterthewomen,AuntGertrudecluckeddisapprovingly. "Flying around in airplanes, traipsing about the Wild Westchasingoutlaws!Youboysareheadedfortroubleagain.""We hope so, Aunty." Joe laughed as his aunt sniffed and bustled into thekitchenwithMrs.Hardy.FrankcalledtheairporttocheckontheirplanetimeandreportedtoJoe."Wehaveonehourtoshower,dress,drivetotheairport,andbuyourtickets.""Wecantakeourcampinggearjustasitis,"saidhisbrother.The boys wasted no time getting ready, and soon were on their way. Theypulledupintheparkinglotoutsidetheairterminalwithtenminutestospare.

FrankpaidfortheirticketsandcheckedthebaggagethroughtoColdSprings,theclosestairporttoLuckyLode.Meantime,Joewiredtheirfather.As the brothers sank into their plane seats, Joe exclaimedwith a grin, "Wemadeit!""ButwehavetochangeatChicagoandButte,"Frankremindedhim.Assoonas theplanewasairborne,ahotbreakfastwasserved.Aftereating,the boys napped for a couple of hours.When they awoke, Joe took out themapOnslowhaddrawn."It shows the area around the claim,"he remarked, studying it closely. "ButnothowtogettherefromLuckyLode."Joewas replacing thesketch inhiswallet,when thepilot'svoiceannouncedthattheywerecomingintoChicago'sO'HareAirport.Afterdeplaning,FrankandJoecheckedattheairlineticketcounter.Aclerktoldthemthattheplanetheyweretoboardwouldbethreehourslateintakingoff.Justthenaquietvoicebehindthemasked,"AreyoutheHardyboys?"The brothers turned to face the speaker-awell-dressedman in dark clothes."Yes,weare,"Frankreplied."MynameisHopkins,"thestrangersaid."I'vehadwordfromyourfatherthatI'm togiveyou some important reports.Unfortunately, I didn't have time tostopbymyofficetogetthem,soI'llhavetoaskyoutocometherewithme."FranklookedatJoe.TheyhadneverheardthedetectivementionMr.Hopkins.Themansmiled."I'mgladtoseeyou'recautious,"hesaid."ButIassureyouthisisonthelevel.Yourfathercalledmethismorning."TheboysrealizedtheydidnotknowallMr.Hardy'sassociates.Itwaspossiblethemanwas telling the truth.BothFrankandJoe reasoned thatHankShalecouldhavementionedMr.Hopkinsoverthetelephone,buttheyhadmisseditbecausetheconnectionhadbeensobad."WhomisDadstayingwith?"Frankaskedasatest."HankShale,"Mr.Hopkins repliedpromptly.Thenheaddedseriously,"Thereportsareveryimportant,boys."FrankandJoeknewtheywouldhavetoriskaccompanyinghim."Allright,"Franksaid."Let'sgo.""My car and chauffeur are right outside," Mr. Hopkins told them, walkingtowardthedoor.The brothers followed him to a large black sedan parked at the curb. Thechauffeur leaned back and opened the rear door. The boys climbed in.Mr.Hopkinsseatedhimselfinfront.

Suddenly,asthedriverstartedthemotor,bothreardoorsopenedandtwobig,tough-lookingmenslidin,oneoneachsideoftheHardys.Instantly Frank and Joe realized this was a trap. Joe reached across to thedashboardinadesperateefforttoswitchofftheengine.Thetwothugspushedhimbackroughly."Noneo'that!"onesnarledasthecarshotawayfromthecurb."Fromhereonyoukids'lltakeordersfromus.Don'targueorwe'llshutyouupinawayyouwon'tlike!"

CHAPTERIIIShortcuttoPeril

FRANKandJoegrittedtheirteeth,furiousathavingwalkedintoatrap.Thetwothugskeptanirongripontheboys."Whereareyouguystakingus?"Joeaskedangrily.Hopkinsturnedaroundinthefrontseatandgaveanastysneer."You'rebothgoingona little trip.You'll soon findoutwhere."Headdedgloatingly, "Weknewthatyou'dshowupattheairporttoday."Henowaddressedonehenchman,aflashilydressedfellow."Robby,gagthesekids if theysquawk.Andyou,Zeke, let themseewhatyou'lluseonthemifyouhaveto."Zeke, who was wearing a brown suit and shirt, opened his huge hand andrevealedasmallblackjack.Withoutawordhegavetheboysathreateninglookanddosedhishandagain.Thecarmovedsmoothlythroughtrafficandtheboys'captorsneverloosenedtheirgrasp.Afteralongride,thecarreachedawide,store-frontedavenueinone of the Chicago suburbs. Slowing up, it turned down a side street andpulledintothedrivewayofaveryoldhousenearthecorner.ThedriverparkedinbackandthefourmenhustledtheHardysinside.Theywentupstairstoanopenhallwayprotectedbyarailing."Getinthere!"Zekeordered,andpushedtheboysintoaroomneartheheadofthestairs.Therewasonewindowwiththeshadedrawnandatable."What'sthisallabout?"Frankdemanded.Hopkinsignoredthequestion."Emptyyourpockets!"hebarked.Zekeopenedhishand,disclosingtheblackjack.Realizingthatresistancewaspointless,thebrothersobeyed.

"Youwon't need this stuff,"Hopkins said, as tickets,money, andkeyswerelaidonthetable.GoingthroughJoe'swallet,HopkinsfoundthemapwhichMikeOnslowhaddrawn.Hopkinsgavetheboysahardlook."Wheredidyougetthis?""Whatdoyouwantwithus?"Frankcountered.Hopkins'eyesglitteredmenacingly."Soyouwon't talkabout themap.Well,youwill later."Hefoldedthemapandput it intohispocket."Theboss'llbeinterestedtohearaboutthis,"hesaidtohiscompanions."Nowtieupthesesmartalecks."Withasneerthedriverofthecarpulledseverallengthsofheavycordfromhispocket.RobbyboundtheHardys'wristsbehindtheirbacks,whileZekebegantyingtheiranklestogether.Ashishenchmenfinished,Hopkinssnapped,"Ihavetogetdowntown.Nick,gooutandstartthecar."When the chauffeur left,Hopkins said toZeke andRobby, "Don't forget-I'llneedoneofyoualittlelater.""Howaboutme?"Robbyaskedhopefully."You'lldo."Hopkinsglancedathiswristwatch."There'llbeataxiheretopickyouupatnoon-twenty-threeminutesfromnow.Beready."AsHopkinsmovedtowardthedoor,Joeaskedhotly,"Howlongareyougoingtokeepushere?""Untilyourfatherdropsthecasehe'son."After a short interval there came the sound of a car driving away. WithinsecondsZekesaidtoRobby,"Let'sgodownstairsandeatsomelunch.""And leave these boys?"Robby asked. "Zeke, you're crazy. Theymight getloose."A crafty look came into Zeke's eyes as he gazed at a closet. It had an old-fashionedwoodenlatch."We'll lock 'eminthere,"hesaid."If theytrytobustout,we'llhear 'emandcomerunnin'.""Okay,"Robbyagreed."Andforsafetywe'lllockthehalldoor."Frank and Joewere dragged into the closet and the latchwas secured. Themenlefttheroom.AtoncetheHardysbegantryingtofreethemselves.Frankmanagedtobackclosetohisbrother,andwithhisfingers,workatJoe'swristbonds.

"Wesurepulledaboner,"Franksaidgrimly."Dadtoldusbeforeheleft thattheganghe'safteriswidespread.""What puzzlesme," Joe replied, as he finally extricated his hands from theloosened ropes, and untiedFrank'swrist cords, "is how they knewwewereheadingfortheWest?"Frank shruggedashe and Joe freed their ankles. "We'll findout later.Rightnowwemustescape."Joewasalreadyfeelingaroundthecloset.Onahookhungaslendermetalcoathanger. "I'll try this," he said. "The door crack by the latch is pretty wide.Hurray!Thehangergoesthrough!"Itwas only amatter ofmoments before thewooden latch had been pushedupward, and the boys stepped out of the closet. They pocketed the tickets,money,andwallets,whichwerestillonthetable.Joewhispered,"Thehalldoorwon'tbesoeasy."Frankhadtiptoedtotheonewindowintheroom.Hepushedasidetheshadeandlookeddownontoashabbybackyardadjoinedbyemptylots."Toofartodropdownthere,"hemuttered."We'lljusthavetorushthosemenwhentheycomeback."Thenextinstantcamethesoundofheavyfootstepspoundingupthestairs.JoesteppedtoonesideofthedoorwhileFrankcrouchedinthecenteroftheroom.Thekey turned in the lockand thedoorburstopen.Frankcharged forward,buttingZeke squarely in the stomach.Theblowsent theman reelingacrossthe hall against the hallway railing. Zeke toppled over it backward with ashriekofpanicandwouldhaveplungedtothefloorbelowhadhenotgrabbedoneoftherails.Enraged,Zeke'spartnerseizedFrankbytheshoulderandswunghimaroundforapunch.Joerushedoutthroughthedoorway.HisfistlandedhardonthebackofRobby'sskullandthemancollapsedinaheap."Comeon!Let'sgo!"Frankexclaimed.Zekesnarledandtrieddesperatelytopullhimselfbackupovertherailingasthe two boys dashed downstairs and out the front door. To their relief, theysawataxiwaitingatthecurb,itsmotoridling."Boy!Wetimedthingsjustright!"Joeexclaimedgleefully.The driver, a thin-faced, hawk-nosedman, looked at the boys in surprise astheyyankedopenthecardoorandclimbedin."O'HareAirport,"Frankordered."Fastasyoucanmakeit!"Thedriverthrewthecarintogearandpulledawayfromthecurb.Frankand

Joelookedbackatthehouse.Asthetaxireachedthecornerandswungontotheavenue,theboyscaughtaglimpseofRobbyrushingfromthehouse."I'llbethe'smadenoughtochewnails!"Joethoughtwithachuckle."I'd like to see Hopkins' face when Robby reports what happened," Frankwhispered."Can'tyougoanyfaster?"Joeaskedthedriver."Wehavetocatchaplane."ThetaxidriverglancedattheHardysinhisrearviewmirror."Sure.I'lltakeashortcut."He turned right at the next corner. After threading his way through severalnarrowside streets, thedrivercame toanotheravenue.Herehe swung rightagain.TheHardyswerepuzzled.Although the side streetshad slantedand twistedsomewhat,itseemedasiftheywerenowheadingbackinthesamedirectionfromwhichtheyhadcome!JoewasabouttoprotestwhenFrankclutchedhisarm.Hepointedfurtivelytothetaxidriver'sidentificationcard.Thephotographonthecardshowedachubbymanwithasmallbuttonnose.Helookednothinglikethehawk-featureddriver.Joegulpedasherealizedthat thisdriverwasanimpostor-most likelyoneofHopkins' thugs! The boys had escaped from Zeke and Robby only to fallstraightintotheclutchesofanothermemberofthegang!

CHAPTERIVAPaintedWarning

THEHardyslookedateachother,speechless.Nowonderthetaxidriverhadseemed surprised! He must have guessed they had escaped from Zeke andRobby.But he had not dared risk any strong-arm tactics in full viewof theneighboringhouses.Probably,Frankthought,hehaddrivenaroundtogaintimewhilefiguringouthisnextmove.Maybe thedriver, too,hadglimpsedRobbyandwascirclingbacktothehouseforhelp.Joewondered, "Couldwe tackle this hoodwithout causing an accident? I'mafraidnot."As if reading his brother'smind, Frank scribbled a note on his plane-ticketenvelope:Hopoutatfirststoplight!

Joe nodded tensely. Two blocks later a traffic signal loomed. It was justchanging to yellow. The driver tried to beat the light, but an oncoming carmadea left turn,blockinghisway,andhehad toslamon thebrakes.Franknudgedhisbrothertowardtheright-handdoorandJoejerkeditopen."Hey! What's the idea?" the driver snarled as the boys leaped out. "Comeback!"FrankandJoesprintedacrossthestreet.Reachingthecurb,theyglancedback.The driver was still snarling at them, but they could not hear what he wassaying.Thenthelightchangedandhewasforcedtomoveoninthesurgeoftraffic."HemaytryaU-turn!"Franksaid."Let'sgo!""Wait!Here comes another taxi!" Joe exclaimed. They flagged it down andjumpedin."O'HareAirport!Steponit!"Frankordered.Asthetaxispedoff,theboyswatchedouttherearwindow.Butnoonewasinpursuit."Whew!" Joe said, giving a sigh of relief. "Good thing you spotted thatidentificationphoto!"Franknodded."Thatthugmusthavestolenthecarfromtherealdriver-andnotjust to trapus," hewhispered. "I'll bet itwas tobeused for pulling anotherjob!""Right! That's why Hopkins told Robby exactly when it would arrive-theymaybeplanningacarefullytimedholdup!"Itwas only a fewminutes before takeoffwhen the boys dashed into the airterminal.FrankmadeahastycalltoCaptainJaworskioftheChicagoPolice,anoldfriend.Frankquicklyexplainedwhathadhappenedandtoldthechieftheir theory that thegangmight beplanning to use the stolen taxi for somecrookedjob."The name on the real driver's identification card was Ira Kleeder," Frankadded."Good enough.We can get the license number from the taxi company.Andthanksforthetip!"Joe,whowasstandingwatchoutsidethetelephonebooth,rappedontheglassandpointedfranticallytohiswristwatch.Frankrangoff,andtheboysracedtotheloadinggate."We nearly left without you," the stewardess said as she welcomed themaboardtheplane.TheHardyssmiledandfoundseats.

Soontheywereairborne.Thetwoboyssettledbackastheplaneheadedwest."I'dsureliketoknowhowHopkinsgotwordwewereonourwaytoLuckyLode,"Frankmused."Thegangouttheremusthaveinformedhim,"Joesaid."Remember-heevenknowsthatDadisstayingwithHankShale.""Anotherthing,"Frankwenton,"whyshouldtheybeinterestedinthatmap?Is theresomeconnectionbetweenOnslow'sclaimandthegang?We'dbetteraskMiketosendusanothermap.""Icanrememberitprettyclearly,"Joeassuredhim,thenaddedsoberly,"Whydidn'tDadcallushimself?Ihopehe'snothurt."Franknodded, troubled.Lunchwas served aboard the plane.Afterward, theboysdozed.AtButte theywerewary, staying close to other passengers as they changedplanes.Noonebotheredthem,however.Soontheywerewingingtheirwayina two-motored craft over the frozen ridges of the Rockies toward ColdSprings,thesmallairportservingLuckyLode.Theplanesetdownbumpilyonasnow-coveredlandingstrip.AstheHardyscameoutandgazedaround,asharp,bitingwindhittheirfaces."Wow!Thissureisdifferent!"saidFrank.Pine woods surrounded the bleak, windswept field with its Quonset hutterminalandhangar.Ahelicopterandatinysingle-engineaircraftwereparkedneartheedgeofthefield.TothewestloomedthesnowyBitterrootmountainrange."Brr!"Joeshivered."Lonelylooking,eh?""Sureis."Frankreplied.As the brothers headed for the terminal, a hatlessman in a plaidmackinawstrodetowardthem."FrankandJoeHardy?"heboomed.Hewasa tall,handsome,ruddy-facedman.Hiswhitehairblewabout in thewind."I'mBobDodge,"headded,shakinghandswiththeboysheartily."Yourfather'sworkingonacaseformeinLuckyLode.Icameoverinmyhelicoptertopickyouup.""Whydidn'tDadcome?"Frankasked."Hehadanaccident-brokeacoupleofribs.Nothingserious,"Dodgeadded,"butthedoctortapedhischestandwantshimtokeepquiet."

Seeingalookofsuspicionontheboys'faces,Dodgetookapicturefromhispocket. "Your father gave me this." He held out a snapshot of the Hardys'housewithAuntGertrudestandingon the lawn."That'syour father'ssister,"Dodgesaid."Okay." Frank knew that if the detective had been forced to hand over thepicture, he would not have given Aunt Gertrude's true identity. Mr. Dodgemustbeallright."Wehavetobecareful,"Joeexplained."I understand."Dodge smiled. "There's some stuff in the terminal Iwant topickup.Youtwogoonaboard."Hegesturedtowardthehelicopter.Theboysstartedacrossthefield.Theywerestillsomedistancefromthecraftwhen a tall, thinman suddenly jumped out of the ship and walked rapidlyaway."Wonderwhoheis?"Joeasked."Maybeanairportattendant,"Frankguessed."Ifso,whyisheheadingforthewoods?"Frankfrowned.When they reached thehelicopter,hesaid,"Iwishweknewwhatthatfellowwasdoingaboard."Joepulledbackthedoorandlookedinsidecautiously.Theboyssearchedthehelicopterbutfoundnothing.Frankchuckled in relief. "Okay,wedidn'tgetbooby-trapped.Let's stowourgear."TheyclimbedoutandJoewasabouttoopentheaccesshatchtothebaggagecompartment,justaftofthecabin,whenFrankstoppedhim."Let'splaysafeandcheckthisdoor.""Good idea."Frank tooka rope fromhisgearand tiedoneend to thehatchhandle.Theboysbackedofftooneside.Franktuggedtherope.Boo-o-om!Adeafeningblastrockedthecraftandknockedtheboysofftheirfeet.Anacridsmellofgunpowderassailedtheirnostrils."Goodgrief!"Joewhispered.Pale and shaken, they examined the baggage compartment. A sawed-offshotgun had been wired and propped into position inside, evidently bysomeoneworkingthrougharemovablepanelintheforwardwall.Thegunhadbeentriggeredbyacordtiedtothedoorlatch.Meanwhile,theexplosionhadbroughtBobDodgeandanoldermanrunningfromtheterminal."Whathappened?"theyyelledtogether.

Frankexplained,andthetwomenexaminedthedeadlysetupwithdismayedlooks.Joecautionedthemnottotouchtheweaponsoitcouldbecheckedforfingerprints.Dodge'scompanion,whoprovedtobetheairportmanager,wentofftoreporttheincidenttothepolice.FrankandJoetookouttheirfingerprintkitanddustedtheshotgun.Noprintsappeared."The man we saw at the copter wore gloves," Frank recalled, "but I washopingsomethingmightshowup,anyhow.""Thegunmusthavebeenwipedcleanbeforehand,"Joededuced.Soon two police officers arrived. The Hardys described their near-fatalexperience,andreportedtheresultsoftheirfingerprintcheck."You'redetectives?"oneofficerasked.FrankintroducedhimselfandhisbrotherasFentonHardy'ssons."Isee,"saidtheofficer."I'veheardofhim-rarelyfailstosolveacase.Soyou'refollowinginhisfootsteps.Well,goodluck!"The brothers turned over the weapon to the policemen, who then, with theboysassisting,madeathoroughcheckofthehelicopter.Theyfoundnoclues,however, so the Hardys stowed their gear and followed Dodge aboard thewhirlybird."Thatscatterguncouldhavebeenmeantforme,"Dodgeremarkedworriedly,ashestartedthemotor."Orforus,"Franksaid.AsthehelicopterroseandsoaredtowardtheBitterrootmountainrange,FranktoldDodgeoftheirbeingkidnappedinChicago."WhatisthecaseDadisworkingonforyou?"Joeasked."I've been running an armored-car service for ten years," the big manexplained. "Recently one ofmy truckswas hijacked and amoney shipmentstolen.Bothguardsaboardwereshot.Themoneywasinsured,ofcourse,butIwantedthosehijackerscaughttoavoidanyfutureholdups,so,knowingyourfather's reputation for trackingdownhijackers, Iengagedhim to investigate.Mymen'ssafetyisimportanttome.Thepolicehaveworkedonthecase,too.They and your father managed to recover the money and catch two of thegang,buttheothersescaped.SomeonereportedseeingtheminCanada.""ThenwhyhasDadstayedhere?"Frankasked."Becausehebelievestheleaderofthegang,BigAlMartin,isstillinthisarea.Yourfatherrefusestoleaveuntilheisfound.""HowdidDadgethurt?"Joequestioned.

"He was thrown from a horse yesterday afternoon," Dodge replied, "whilechasingafellowhethinksisoneofBigAl'smen.""AndnowDadwantsustotrytofindtheoutlaws,"Franksurmised."Yes,"Dodgesaid,"andthesoonerthebetter.BigAl'sdangerous-hebelongsbehindbars.Thepoliceknowhehashenchmeninothercities."AsDodgespoke,thehelicoptershookandrattledinthewind.Belowthem,theboyssawwild,ruggedcountry.Snow-coveredbuttesstoodlikegauntsentinelsoverlookingheavilywoodedvalleys.PresentlyDodgeshouted,"Itwon'tbelongnow!"Ahead,inamountaincleft,thepilotpointedoutthetinytownofLuckyLode."OvertotheleftisWindyPeak-thehighestintherange.""Haveyoubeenflyinglong,Mr.Dodge?"Joeasked."Istartedtakinglessonsacoupleofyearsagoanditcameeasilytome.""HaveyoualwayslivedintheWest?"Frankasked,butDodgedidnotreply."Herewego!"hesaid,andbegansettingthehelicopterdown.FrankwonderedifDodgehadnotheardhisquestionordidnotwanttodiscusshispast.The pilot landed expertly in a clearing at one end of LuckyLode. Then hehelpedtheboyslugtheirgeartoHankShale'scabinatthefootofaSteephillontheoutskirtsofthetown.WhenFrankknocked,thedoorwasopenedbyatall,skinnymanwiththinningredhair.Hiswrinkledfacesplitintoagrinwhenhesawthetrio."Come in and thaw out!" he exclaimed. "I'mHank Shale.Your pa and I'vebeenwaitin'foryou!"Theboysenteredtofindtheirfatherseatedbeforearoaringfire.FentonHardywasa trim,athletic-lookingman.Hiskeeneyes lightedupwhenhe sawhissons."Hello, boys," said the detective, and moving carefully, shook hands withthem."Thanksforgivingupyourcampingtrip.""We'dratherworkwithyouanyday,"Joesaid,grinning.Mr.HardysmiledandturnedtoDodge."Iappreciateyourbringingmysons."Hankannouncedthathewasgoingtothekitchenandrustleupsomegrub."I'llhelpyou,"Dodgevolunteered."Thethreedetectivescansitbythefireandexchangenews."In lowvoices theboys told their fatherall thathadhappenedsince theyhadleftBayport.Mr. Hardy looked grave. "I agree with you that someone here must have

informed Al's Chicago henchmen that you were coming. But who?" Heglancedtowardthekitchenandcalled,"Hank!"When the red-haired man appeared in the doorway, Mr. Hardy asked him,"WhowasinBurke'sgeneralstorewhenyouphonedmysonslastnight?""Justtheusualcrowdo'fellerssittin'aroundthestove,"Hankreplied."Ihadtoholleronaccounto'thatbadconnection,sotheyallheardeveryword.""Someoneonthelinemighthavebeenlistening,too,"Joeremarked."Ismellsomethin'burnin'!"Hankexclaimedandboltedintothekitchen."We'llhavetobeonguard,"saidFrank."Someoneprobablywillbewatchingeverymovewemake.""Dad,"Joeasked,"whatmadeyousosureBigAldidn'tgotoCanada?""Iwasworkingwiththepolice,"Mr.Hardysaid,"whenwecaughttwoofthegangweekbeforelast.OneofthemtoldusBigAlwashidingouthere,andmeanttoattendtosomeunfinishedbusiness.ThepolicethoughthewaslyinginordertosidetrackuswhileAlmadeanescape.Ihadahunchitwasthetruth.""Why?"askedFrank."Becausethemanseemedscaredandappearedtobehopingforabreakathistrial.IstartedridingthehillstryingtopickupAl'strail.YesterdayIfollowedarough-lookingfellowonhorseback.Hemetanothermaninasmallclearing.Iheardthemtalkingandcaughtthewords 'BigAl'and 'hideout.'Just thenmyhorse Major whinnied and the men galloped off. I gave chase, but MajorstumbledandItookaspill."Thedetectivesmiledruefully."NowI'mstuckhere!Boys,"headdedseriously,"yourjobistofindthathideout."Frank and Joe, greatly excited by this challenge, discussed it all during asupperofthickwesternsteaks,beans,andbiscuits."We'llhavetogetalineonwhatBigAl'sunfinishedbusinessis,"Franksaid,whentheywereseatedaroundthefireplacelater."Inanyevent,it'sprobablyillegal,"hisfatherrejoined.PresentlyDodgegotup."GuessI'dbettergetbacktothehotel.""AreyourofficesinLuckyLode?"Joeasked."No,inHelena.I'vebeenstayingintowntowatchdevelopmentsonthecase.If there's any way I can help you, boys," the big man added, "just let meknow."AfterDodge had left,Mr.Hardy remarked, "Bob strikesme as a fineman.

Never mentions his early days, but I'm told he started his business on ashoestringandbuiltitupbyhardwork.""Speakin'o'work,whowantstowashdishes?"Laughing, the boys took Hank's hint and before long the kitchen wasshipshape.Finallythebrotherswenttobedinoneoftwosmallroomswhichledoffthebigone.Weary,theboysfellasleepimmediately.Suddenlytheyawokewithastart.Arumblingnoisewascomingfrombehindthecabin,growingloudereverymoment.Thebrothersleapedfrombed.Atthesameinstant,thecabinwasjarredwithadeafeningcrash.Frank and Joe heardHank yell as they rushed into the living room. "Look!Fire!"Hepointedtothekitchenwhereabrightredglowwasvisible.The trio dashed in. By the light of the flames they could see that a hugeboulderhadcrashedthroughthebackwall,overturningthestoveandspewingburningfirewoodoverthefloor.Theboysracedbacktotheirbedroomtogetblankets.Spreadingthemoverthefire, they began smothering and stamping out the flames. Mr. Hardy hadhurriedfromhisroom,buttheboyswouldnotallowhimtohelp.Meanwhile,Hankhadfilledabucketatthekitchenpumpandwasdousingwateroverthehotstove.Thefiresizzledangrilybutgraduallydiedout."Tarnation!"Hankexclaimed."Nearest thingtoanavalanchewe'veeverhadaroundhere."Helightedanoillamp,andeveryonesurveyedthedamage."Whatamess!"Joegrimaced.The cabin owner sighed. "Awhoppin' big hole in thewall, and some burntfloorin'.Well,IreckonIcanfixittomorrow."Frank and Joe started to push the boulder out through the hole, then Joegaspedinsurprise.Onthehugestonewerebrightlypaintedredletters.Rollingtheboulderabitfarther,theboysmadeoutacrudelypaintedmessage:HARDYS-LEAVETOWN!"AwarningfromBigAl!"Franksaidgrimly.

CHAPTERVTheStrangeBlueLight

THE threedetectives andHankexamined thewarningmessageon thehugerock."BigAlisaroughcustomer,"Mr.Hardysaid,frowning."Beonyourguardat

alltimes.""We'llwatchout,Dad,"Frankpromised.HeandJoeshovedtheboulderoutsideandlookedupthehill.Themoonhadsetandthemountainsidewasshroudedindarkness."Notellingifanyone'supthere,"Joemuttered.Thetwobrothersshiveredintheicywind,andthensquirmedthroughtheholeintotheburnedkitchen.Meanwhile,Hankpulledonwarmclothes,wentouttoalean-to,andbroughtbackatarpaulin.Theboyshelpedhimnailitovertheholeinthewall,thensetthestoveup."That'lldotillmornin',"Hanksaid.Frank and Joewereup as soon as itwas light.After a quickbreakfast theyclimbed the steep, snow-covered slope behind the shack, following the trailplowed by the huge boulder. The boys soon found a deep gougewhere thestonehadbeenpriedoutofthehillside."Somebodyusedacrowbartogetitgoing,"Joesaid,kneelingontheground."Andherearesometracesofredpaint,"Frankpointedout.Theyscoutedaroundthoroughly,andnoticedthesnowhadbeendisturbed,asiftocovertracks."Whoever pried that stone loose,"Frank said thoughtfully, "mayhave comefromtownratherthanfromahideoutinthehills.""Why?""Becauseit'snotlikelythatanyonehidingupinthemountainswouldhaveredpaintonhand.Thepersonwhodidthisprobablygotitatthevillagestore.""MaybeBigAlhasanagentinLuckyLode,"Joesuggested.Theboyswalkedonup thehill.Theundergrowthat the topwaspartedandbroken."Someoneforcedhiswaythroughhere,"Franksaid.Theyfollowedthetrampledbrushtoatrailwhichledalongthewoodedridge,paralleling themain street of LuckyLode below them. Soon they spotted anarrowpathleadingdownintothesmallcommunity."The man we're after could have come this way," Frank said. "We'd betterscoutforclues."SlowlyheandJoewalkeddownthesteep,narrowtrail.Therewerefootprints,buttheseweretoojumbledtobeofanysignificance.Theyreachedthebottomwithout finding anything else, then climbed back to the top and continued

alongtheridge.After a while the boys emerged into a clearing. Before them lay an oldcemetery. They crawled through a gap in the dilapidatedwooden fence andwalkedsilentlyamongthegravestones.Fromthebleak,windsweptspottheycouldseeallofLuckyLodeinthevalleybelow.Theoldpartoftownendeddirectlyunderthecemetery."Look at these, Frank," called Joe, from where he knelt beside a doubleheadstone."'JohnandJamesCoulson'!"Frankread."MikeOnslow'spartners!""IguesstheycametoLuckyLodetotryforanotherstake,"Joesaid."You'reprobablyright,"Frankreplied.Theboysdecided togo into townandheaded for thecemeterygate.Coarsebrush grew up around the ornate posts. Frank passed through, but Joe waspulledupshort."Wait!"hesaid."I'mcaught!"Big burrs clung to his trousers. Fumbling with heavily gloved fingers, hemanaged toget free.Together,heandFrankpulledoutall theburrsand thebrothersscrambleddowntheslope.At the foot they saw thedesertedgray-weatheredbuildings.As theywalkedalong theoldwooden sidewalk, theboards creaked and thewind rattled theloosedoorsandshutters."ThisendofLuckyLode'sarealghosttown,"Frankremarked."Somebody lives here, though," Joe replied. He pointed ahead to atumbledownhouse.Apalestreamofsmokeissuedfromthechimney.Suddenlythedooropenedacrackandariflemuzzlepokedout.Itwasaimedstraightattheboys!FrankandJoehalted,notknowingwhethertodroptothegroundorrun.Butnothinghappened.Atlasttheymovedforwardcautiously.Themuzzle followed theHardysuntil theycameabreastof theporch.Thenthedoorwaskickedopenandanoldmanjumpedout,aimingtheweaponatthem.FrankandJoestopped."What are you doin' here?" thewhite-hairedmandemanded curtly, his eyessquintingsuspiciously."Justvisiting,"Franksaidinafriendlytone."We'refromtheEast,"Joewenton."StayingwithHankShale."Theoldman lowered the rifle. "Oh,"hesaid, relieved."AnyfriendofHank

Shaleisafriendofmine.Comeonin.""Didyouexpectsomebodyelse?"Frankasked,as theboysfollowed theoldmanintotheshack."Don't know!" he snapped. "A fella can't be too careful around here now.There'sfunnythingshappenin'uponCemeteryHill."The boys found themselves in a plainly furnished room heated by a woodstove. They introduced themselves and their host said, "My name's BenTinker."Hepointedtotwowoodenchairsnearthestove."Sitdownandwarmup.""Whatdidyoumeanbyfunnythingsgoingoninthecemetery?"Frankaskedhim."It'shaunted,"Bensaidflatly."Hasbeenforthepasttwoweeks.""Haunted!"Joeechoed."How?""Sometimes,lateatnight,abluelightblinksonandoffupthere.I'veseenit,"theoldmanexplained,"becauseI'manightowlandlikeabreathofairbeforeturnin'in.""Hasanyoneelseseenthelight?"Frankasked."Doubt it. InLuckyLodenobody'sout lateatnight.But that'snotall,"Benwenton. "About anhourafter the lights show, somebodywalkspasthere. Ithinkit'sCharlie'sghost.CharlieusedtoplaypianointhePeacockDanceHallnextdoor.HewaskilledinagunfighttherefortyyearsagoandburieduponCemeteryHill."The Hardys were mystified. "Why do you think it's Charlie's ghost, Ben?"Frankasked."Because some nights I hear the piano-it's still there. Sort of tuneless, likewhenCharlielethisfingerswanderoverthekeys.""Whenwasthelasttimeyousawthebluelight?"Frankqueried."Nightbeforelast.""Youdon'treallybelieveit'saghost,doyou?"Joesaid."Might be. Then again might not. Somebody might be up to monkeybusiness," Ben admitted. "That'swhy I keep this handy."He pointed to therifleleaningagainstthewall.Frank, on impulse, asked the old-timer, "Doyou know anything about JohnandJamesCoulson?"

"Suredo.Theydied in aminingaccident about twenty-fiveyears ago, aftersomehighbinderstolealoto'goldfromthem.""We'dliketohearthestory,"Franksaidquickly.Ben'sramblingaccountoftheLoneTreeincidentagreedwiththeversiontheHardyshadheardfromMikeOnslow."WhathappenedtoBartDawson?"Joeasked."Can'tsayforsure,"wasBen'sreply,"buthemusthavekeptthegold.IsawhiminHelenaacoupleo'yearsafterandheactedlikehedidn'tknowme.Whywouldhehavedonethatifhehadn'tbeenguilty?"TheHardysexchangedglances.ItcertainlysoundedasthoughMikeOnslow'sex-partner had absconded with the gold! The brothers got up to leave, andFranksaid,"Thanksfortellingusallthis,Ben.""Anytime,boys.Comebackagain,"themanurged."Butstayawayfromthatgraveyard!"As the Hardys walked down the main street toward the populated part ofLuckyLode,Franksuggestedthatthebluelightcouldbeasignal."I think so, too," Joe agreed. "Cemetery Hill is clearly visible fromeverywhereintown.""ItwouldbeanidealplaceforBigAltosignalaspyifhehadoneinLuckyLode,"Frankremarked."Bensaid the lighthasbeenaroundforonlyacoupleofweeks,"Joeadded,"andthat'saboutthelengthoftimeDadthinksBigAlhasbeenhidingoutnearhere.""ThefootstepsBenhearscouldbethespyreturningtotownaftermeetingAlinthecemetery,"Frankspeculated."Whataboutthepianoplayinginthedeserteddancehall?"Joeasked."Maybeit'sBenTinker'simagination."BythistimetheboyshadreachedthebusinesssectionofMainStreet.Frankstopped in frontof thegeneral store. "Let'sgo inandsee ifwecan findoutanythingaboutthatredpaint."Inside, ahuskyman stoodbehind the counter, slittingopencartonswithhispocketknife.Frankaskedifheweretheowner."Iam,"hesaid."JimBurke'sthename."FrankandJoetoldhimwhotheywere,andheintroducedtheboystoseveral

men seated around a potbelly stove. TheHardys noticed that the town postoffice,telephoneswitchboard,andtelegraphofficewerealsointhestore."Youmust know everything that's going on in town,Mr. Burke," Joe said,smiling."That'sright,"themanansweredwithawink."Couldyoutelluswhichstoresherestockredpaint?"Frankasked.Burkechuckled."This is theonlystore there is,"he replied."Icarry it.Youwantsome?""No," said Joe. "We'd like to findout if anyonebought redpaint in thepastfewweeks.""Noone,"Burketoldhimpromptly."I'drememberbecauseIdon'tsellmuchofit.Why?"WhileFrankdescribedtheboulderattackonHank'scabin,heandJoewatchedtheirlisteners'faces.None showed any sign of guilt. TheHardys told aboutmeetingBenTinkerandaskedifanyoneelsehadseenthebluelightatthetopofCemeteryHill.Burkelaughed."BenTinker'salwaysimaginin'things."Oneof theothermenguffawed. "Acoupleofweeksagohewas seein'menfromouterspace."TheHardysdidnotbelievethisbutmadenocomment.Theyleftthestoreandwentbacktotheircabin.HeretheyfoundHankShaleandtheirfatherrepairingthedamagedwall."You'dbettertakeiteasy,Dad,"Joesaidwithconcern."Oh, I haven't been exertingmyself." Fenton Hardy grinned at his sons. "Ihavetofindsomewaytoworkoffalittleenergy."WhileHankfixedlunch,FrankandJoerelatedwhattheyhadfoundout."Benisanoldman,"Hankputinashedishedoutasizzlingplatefulofhamandeggs,"buthe'snotloco.Still,thewholestory,bluelightsandall,mightbejusthisimagination."That afternoon the boys insisted that their father remain quiet while theyhelpedHankrebuildthecabinwall.Bynightfallthejobwasdone.Whiletheywererelaxinginfrontofthefireaftersupper,HanktoldtheboyswheretheycouldrenthorsestosearchforBigAl'shideout."IonlyhavemymareDaisy,"headded,"andshe'snonetooyoungandspry.""There are a number of abandonedmines in this area,"Mr. Hardy told hissons."Isuggestyouinvestigatethem."

"Butwatchoutfortommy-knockers,"Hankwarnedwithagrin."Tommy-knockers?What'rethey?"Joeasked."Somekindo'gnomesor spiritsor suchlike that liveunderground.Old-timeminersusedtosaythatifyouheardoneknockin',itmeanttherewasabouttobeanaccident.""Okay.Ifwehearany,we'llwatchourstep,"Frankpromisedjokingly."Bytheway,we'dliketosearchtheLoneTreearea.WherewasMikeOnslow'sclaimlocated?""Nobodyknows,anymore,"Hanksaid,scratchinghishead."TheLoneTreeterritory'stoobigforyoufellowstocoveralone."Hedrewthemasketch,showingthelocationofLoneTreeanddesertedminesinthearea.FrankandJoedecidedwhichonestheywouldtrynextday.Later,thebrotherswalkeddowntotheliverystableonMainStreetandrentedhorses for their expedition.Theboys rodeback to the cabin and stabled theanimals in Hank's lean-to.When they returned, Hank andMr. Hardy wereasleep,buttheboyssatupforawhileanddiscussedthemystery.They became aware that the wind had risen and was whipping around thecabin."We'dbettertakealookatthehorses,"Franksuggested.Bundling into their heavy jackets, the boys went outside. The lean-to wassnugly built and the animals seemed comfortable. Satisfied, Frank and Joestartedback.AstheyroundedthecornerofHank'scabin,theystoppedshort."Look!"breathedJoe.ClearlyvisibleonthetopofCemeteryHillwasawinkingbluelight!

CHAPTERVIGhostMusic

"LET'Sgoupthere!"urgedFrank,grabbingJoe'sarm.Asquicklyandquietlyaspossible,theboysscaledthehillinbackofHank'scabin and hurried along the ridge trail toward the graveyard. When theyreached the edgeof the clearing,Frank and Joepaused in the shelter of thetrees.The night wasmoonless but the northern lights made great colored streaksacrossthesky.Inabackcornerofthecemetery,thebrothersspottedatall,thinfigure.

"Probablythepersonwhosignaledwiththebluelight!"Joewhispered.Crouching low, the young detectives crept through the broken fence. Theymoved forward soundlessly to a large stonemonument and knelt behind it.TheHardyswishedtheycouldgetclosertotheman,butthatgravestonewastheonlyonelargeenoughtoaffordthemcover.Themanpacedaboutrestlessly,stampinghisfeetandhuddlinghisshouldersforwarmth.Presentlytheboysheardthesoundoffootstepsinthefrontofthecemetery. A second figure, big and bulky, approached the first. Thenewcomer's cap was pulled low, and his face appeared to be muffled forprotectionagainstthebittercold.Hetookupapositionwithhisbackturnedtothetwobrothers.As the thinman spoke, Frank and Joe strained their ears to hear above theroaringofthewind.Theywereabletocatchonlyapartoftheconversation."...BigAl'splentymad,"thefirstmanwassaying."Hegavemespecialordersforyoutonight,SlipGun."Thebigmanwassilent,apparentlywaitingforthespeakertocontinue."HewantsyoutokeeptheHardyboysbottledupintown,"thethinmanwenton."Also,besuretotiphimoffoneverymovetheymake."Theotherman'smuffledresponsewasdrownedbythewind.Evidentlyhehadaskedaquestion."No luck yet," the tall figure declared. "He'd better forget ... that specialbusiness...it'shopeless...meetingdayaftertomorrow...wants...theusualstuff.""Where?""ShadowoftheBear,"answeredthethinman.The next instant there came the loud crack of breaking twigs. Both menwhirled toward thenoise.Theboysheld theirbreath.Wassomebodyelse inthegraveyard?Afteralongsilence,thethinmansaid,"TomorrowJakeandI...withtheboss...Brady'sMine.It'sonethatain'tflooded."Frank'sandJoe'sheartsjumpedwithexcitement,butthewindrosetoahowlandtheycouldhearnomore.Themenmurmuredtogetherforafewminutes,thenparted.ThethinmanmovedpasttheHardys'hidingplace.Heslippedthroughthegapinthefenceandquicklydisappearedintothewoods.Soonafterward,theboysheardahorsewhinnyandabriefclatterofhoofsonrockyground."No chance of following him," Joemuttered. "Hemight have led us to the

gang'shideout,too."Just then theotherman trudgedby.Theboyswaited tenselyuntil thebulkyfigurereachedthegate."Joe,"whisperedFrank,"wecanstillfindoutwhoBigAl'sspyintownis."Cautiouslytheboysstartedtowardthecemeterygate.Theycouldhearthebigman ahead, slipping and slithering along over the stony, snow-covered hill.TheHardysfollowedhimascloselyastheydared,movingfurtivelyfromonepatchofscrubbrushtoanother.Suddenly Frank stopped short to listen. He thought he had heard a noisebehindthemandseizedhisbrother'sarmtoalerthim.Startled,Joeslippedandnearlyfell.Ashowerofstonescascadeddownthehill!Therewassilenceonthedarkslope.FrankandJoestoodmotionless,listeningintently. They could imagine the burly figure ahead listening aswell. Then,frombehindthem,anotherrockcametumblingdown.JoenudgedFrank."Wedidn'tcausethat!Someone'sfollowingus!"Had the thinman spotted them, theHardyswondered, and doubled back tostalkthem?Orhadathirdpersonbeeninthecemetery,astheysuspected?The brothers scanned the hill above, but could see no one. "He's probablyhidingbehindbouldersorscrub,"Frankwhispered.After awhile theHardys thought they detected sounds ofmovement belowthem.Warilytheydescended,alertforanypossibleattackfromtherear.Bythetimetheyreachedthefootofthehill,FrankandJoehaddrawncloseenoughtotheirquarrytospothisshadowyfiguredisappearingintotheghosttown.Theboystrodstealthilyonthesnow-crustedwoodensidewalk,huggingthe buildings.Ahead they could hear theman's footsteps and see his bulky,muffled shape. Suddenly he vanished into the sagging shell of a desertedbuilding.TheHardysquickenedtheirpaceandpeeredaroundthecornerofthebuilding.Theywerejustintimetoseethemanemergefromtherear.Hewhirledaboutandrantothefarsideoftheadjoiningbuilding.Frank darted in pursuit and saw the man return to the street. When Frankreachedthesidewalkagain,Joewasathiselbow,silentasashadow.Ahead,themanwashurryingdownthestreettowardtheotherendoftown."Heknowshe'sbeingfollowed,"Joewhispered,"andistryingtoshakeus.""Comeon,orwe'lllosehim!"Frankurged.Flingingcautionaside,theboysbrokeintoarun,theirstepspoundingontheplankwalk.Apparently theirquarryheard themand immediatelysteppedup

hisownpace.Amomentlaterthedimfiguremeltedintothedarknessbetweentwooldbuildings.FrankandJoereachedthespotinafewseconds."This way!" Frank urged in a low voice, and the Hardys plunged into theshadowygloomofthenarrowpassageway.Behindthetwostructures,thebrothersfoundthemselvesinanareaovergrownwithweedsandbrushwhichmergedintothetreesonthehillside.FrankandJoehalted,strainingtheireyesinthedarknessandlisteningintently.Nothingcouldbeheardbut thewind-then thehowlofawolfsomewherebeyond theridge."Looksasifhe'sgivenustheslip,"Joemuttered.Theboysflickedontheirflashlightsandsearchedabout.Theyfinallypickedout the fugitive'sprints,buthis tracks led to thehard-trampled roadwayandbecameindistinguishable.Baffled, theHardysstartedbackthroughtheghosttownontheirwaytoHank'scabin."Ofalltheluck!"Joegrumbled."Wealmosthadourhandsonthatspy!""Atleastwe'velearnedonethingabouthim,"Franksaidthoughtfully."What'sthat?""Hisnickname.Themanhemetinthecemeterycalledhim'SlipGun.'""You'reright!Ialmostforgot,"Joesaid."Maybeit'llhelpustracehim,ifwecanfindoutwhatitmeans.Anyidea?"Frank shook his head. "Not a glimmer, except that it sounds like a cowboyexpression.MaybeHankcantellus."AstheyapproachedBenTinker'splace,thebrothersnoticedthatthewindowswere dark. Frank and Joe paused at the shack to listen, and heard a steadywheezingsnorecomingfrominside."Good thing theoldman'sasleep"-Frankchuckled-"orhemighthavestartedshootingatus!"TheHardysresumedtheirpace.Theywereabouttogopastthedeserteddancehallnextdoor,whensuddenlytheyfrozein their tracks.BothFrankandJoefeltthehairontheirnecksriseandcoldchillssweepupanddowntheirspines.From theabandonedhall, through themoanof thewind,came the soundofpianoplaying.Tinker'sghostmusic!

CHAPTERVII

ARooftopStruggle

THEwindsuddenlydieddownand in theeerie silenceFrankandJoeagainheardthetinkleofthepianokeyscomingfromthedeserteddancehall.Joemurmured,"Here'sonemysterywecansolvetonight!Let'sfindoutwhatgoesoninhere!""Right."Movinglightlyoverthewoodensidewalk,theboysapproachedthedance-hallentrance.Theweird,tunelessmusicstopped.Frank and Joe looked at each other. "Maybewe've scared the spook away,"Frankwhisperedhalfjokingly.As if in answer, themusic started oncemore.This timeboth the treble andbasskeysofthepianosounded.Quickly the Hardys drew flashlights from their jacket pockets and steppedinside.Thesearcherssnappedontheirflashlightsandplayedthebeamsabouttheinterior.Themusicstoppedagain.Theroomwassparselyfurnishedwithafewricketytablesandchairs,heavilycoated with dust. Ancient oil-lamp chandeliers, festooned with cobwebs,dangledfromtheceiling.Atthatmomentthepianoresumeditstinkling.Outside,thewindhowledandshuttersbanged."Boy!Thisplaceisreallycreepy!"saidJoewithashudder.Frankgrippedhisbrother'sarm."Lookthere!"Theboys'lightsnowfellonaraiseddaisatoneendoftheroom.Onitstoodabattereduprightpiano.The Hardys stared in astonishment as the music continued. "The piano'splayingbyitself!"Joeexclaimed.Quickly the brothers crossed the room and Frank lifted the top of the oldpiano. He shone his flashlight inside. There was a sudden squeaking andtwangingofwires."For Pete's sake!" he burst out, as several rats scampered out of the piano,jumpeddowntothefloor,andscurriedaway.Theboyslaughedheartily."TheregoesTinker'sghostmusic,"Franksaid."Talentedrats."Joegrinned.Suddenly, from thedirectionof thedoorway, theyheard the sidewalkcreak.

Theboyswhirledasalow,flatvoicesnarled,"Youkidshavebeenaskin'forit!"FrankandJoebarelyhadtimetoglimpseahead-maskedbyaghostlikehoodwith eyeholes -above the swinging doors. Then a gloved hand jerked intoview,clutchingashort-barreledrevolver,thethumbcockingbackthehammer.Therewasaspurtofflame.Bang! A bullet whistled across the room and thudded into the piano. TheHardysdivedfromthedais,snappingofftheirflashlightsandcrashingintothetablesandchairsbelow.As the echoes of the shot died away, Frank picked up a broken chair andhurleditinthegeneraldirectionofthegunflash.There was a grunt as the chair connected, then the Hardys could hear thegunman'sfeetscrapingacrossthefloor.Hewasstalkingtheminthedarkness!Theboysseparatedinstinctivelytodividehisattention.FrankcreptofftotherightandJoetotheleft.SuddenlyFranksprangtohisfeet.Intwolongstrideshereachedthewindowandleapedthroughitintothedarknessoutside.Crash! Bang! There was no glass in the window, but Frank's weight hadcarried away the cross-pieces of the frame.He landed feet first. Amomentlaterhesawafigurestrugglingthroughthewindow,gruntingwiththeeffort.Themaskedman!Frankdashedaroundthecornerofthedancehall.Whenhereachedtheback,he skidded to a halt at a high fence thatwas blocking hisway.Hearing thegunman'sstepsbehindhim,Frankvaultedthefenceandfellinaheapontheotherside.Thegunman leapedamoment later.Frankheldhisbreath.Hecouldsee theman silhouetted against the dim light of the sky-then darting off into thedarkness.Frankjumpedupanddashedintoaramshacklebuildingthatstoodnexttothedance hall. But the hooded man evidently had spotted the boy's move, forFrankheardstepspoundinginpursuit.Withouthesitationheracedthroughthefrontdoorandoutontotheslippery,snowysidewalk.There was no time to find cover. The gunman was hot on his heels. Indesperation, Frank ran straight down the open street. As he sped along, hewonderedwhathadhappenedtoJoe.Flingingaglanceoverhisshoulder,Franksawthehoodedgunmanraisehisarmtofire.Zing!ThebulletwhistledpastFrank'sheadandricochetedoffa

metalstoresign.Justahead,totheleft,wasanoldhitchingrail.Frankrecalledthatitstoodinfrontoftheghosttown'sabandonedhotel.Hecutacrossthestreetanddashedintothenarrowsideyardofthehotel.A flightofoutside stairs slantedup thewallof thebuilding.Frankmountedthe steps two at a time. At the top was a rickety wooden balcony, whichsaggedunderFrank'sweightashesteppedontoit."Nowwhat?" the young detectivewondered.Had heworked himself into acorner? Frank's heart thudded as he heard the gunman's footsteps on thewoodenwalkbelow.Justoutofreach, theoverhangingroofof thehotel loomedin theblackness.Therewasnoplaceelsetogo,soFrankleapedupfortheedge.His fingersdug into thebrokenshinglesandheswunghimselfonto therearslopeofthesnow-coveredroof.Meanwhile, thehoodedgunmanhadalreadystarted up the stairs. Frank heard his clattering footsteps as he reached thebalconyplatform.Thenhesawtheman'shandsappear,clutchingtheedgeoftheroof.Amomentlaterhishoodedheadroseintoviewagainstthenightsky!Hewaspullinghimselfupforashotatcloserange!Frank fought down a surge of panic. He hadwriggled some distance awayfrom the eaves. Now he must work his way back and try to overcome hisassailantbeforethemancouldpullhisgun.Frankslitheredtowardhimacrosstheslipperyshingles.Bynowthemanhadonelegupovertheroofandwasgropingfortheguninhiscoatpocket."Iwon'tbeabletoreachhimintime!"Frankthoughtgrimly.Justthenheheardstepsracingupthestairwaytothebalcony.The gunman heard the footsteps, too. He paused and looked down, thenmanaged to extract the gun fromhis pocket.An instant later Frank sawhisbodyjerk,andthemanclutchedtheroofedgeasiftobracehimself.Evidentlythenewcomerwaspullingthegunman'sotherleg,tryingtodislodgehim!The hooded figure suddenly gave a tremendous heave upward and thenextmomentwas free, sprawled full length on the roof. Frank by nowwascloseenoughtograbtheman'scoatsleeve.Thegunmanthrewuphisarmandyankeditfree.Buttheforceofthisactioncausedhimtolosehisgripcompletely!Hisgunarcedthroughtheair,hittherearpartof the roof, andbouncedoff.Theman,meanwhilewas rollingandslippingrapidlytowardtheedge.Frank saw him clutch frantically for the gutter. The man caught it, hungsuspendedforamoment,thenswungovertothedrainpipeandsliddownitto

theground."Frank!Areyouallright?"ItwasJoe!"I'mokay."Asquicklyaspossible,Frankwriggledtowardthestairwaysideoftheroofanddroppedsafelyontothebalconyplatform.TheHardys glancedover the railing.Below, the hooded figurewasgropingabouthastily,tryingtofindhisgun."Come on, Joe! Let's get him this time!" Frank urged, and the boys wentbucketingdownthestairs.Hearing them, themangaveuphis searchanddashedoff into thedarkness.Their quarrywas some distance aheadwhen Frank and Joe approached theinhabitedpartofLuckyLode.Butthetownwassodimlylighteditwashardtokeepthefigureinview,exceptforhiswhitehood.Thenextmomenttheboyslostsightofhimcompletelyashedisappearedintothe deep shadows around the general store. Nevertheless, Frank and Joedashedinpursuit.Reachingthestore,theysawnooneinfront,sotheyrantotheback.Theareawashiddeninalmosttotaldarkness.SuddenlyFrankstiffened."Didyouhearsomething?"hemuttered."Yes.Soundedlikeadoorclosing.""Comeon!"Theboysranaroundtothefrontof thestore.Therewerenolightsshowing.Joegrabbedthedoorknobandshookit.Thedoorwaslocked.Frankknocked.The sound echoed loudly in thequiet of thedeserted street.Theboyswaitedforafewmoments.Whennooneanswered,Frankrepeatedhisknock.Hekepthammeringonthedoor.Atlasttherewasaresponse.Frominsidecamethecall,"Justaminute!Holdyourhorses!"Presently a light showed, and amoment later JimBurke came to the door,holdinganoillamp.Hehadpulledonabathrobeoverhislongunderwear."Well?What's all the excitement about?" From the look on his face, Burkewas not pleased at being disturbed at so late an hour. Frank explainedwhytheyhadrousedhim."Nope."Burke'sexpressionwaspuzzledasheshookhishead."Ihaven'tseenorheardanyone-exceptyoutwo.""Couldthefellowwe'reafterhaveslippedinyourbackdoor?"Joeasked."Notachance,"Burkereplied."Isleeprightinthebackroom."

AsBurkespoke,thefrontdoorsuddenlyburstopenandBobDodgestrodeinoutofthewindydarkness.FrankandJoestaredathim.Dodge'soutergarmentswerewetwithsnow,andhiscoatsleevesandtrouserlegswerecoveredwithburrs!

CHAPTERVIIITommy-knockers!

THEsame thought struck theHardyboys.Did theburrsonDodge's clothesmean he had been one of the people in the cemetery-perhaps even themantheyhadchased?Excited,FrankandJoewatchedthebigman'sfaceclosely.But Dodge displayed no outward signs of guilt. "What's all the shootingabout?"heaskedwhilebrushingthesnowoffhiscoat.Burkeraisedhiseyebrows."Youheardit?""Isuredid,"thebig,white-hairedmanreplied."Icouldn'tsleeptonight,soIwent for a stroll up on the hillside. Then I heard two gunshots and I camedowntoinvestigate.""Didyouseeanybody,Mr.Dodge?"Frankputin."Well, not too clearly. I thought I glimpsed two people running in thisdirection.ButwhenIgotdowntothestreet,therewasnooneinsight.""Must'vebeen these two lads," thestorekeeper said. "Theywokemeupandtoldmesomegunslingerhadbeenchasin''emthroughtheghosttown.Didn'thearanythin'myself,"Burkeadded,"butIguessIwasprettysoundasleep."Frank repeated the story they had told Burke. "Wewere investigatingwhatBen Tinker had told us about the old dance hall being haunted," Frankexplained."Whilewewereinsidetheplace,someoneshotatus.""Hechasedusforawhile,andthenweturnedthetablesandstartedchasinghim,"Joeadded."Whoeverthemanwas,heheadedforthestore."Dodgefrownedworriedly."Youboysseemtoattractdanger.Ihopeyouwon'ttakeanyunnecessarychancesonthiscase.""We'll try not to," Frank said. "There isn't much more we can do tonight,anyhow."TheHardysstarted to leave. Justbefore they reached thedoor,Frank turnedandsaidcasually,"Bytheway,doeseitherofyouknowwhat'smeantbya'slipgun'?"Dodge and Burke looked surprised, but otherwise their expressions seemed

innocentenough."It'sagunthat'sbeenfixedinacertainwaysoitcanbefiredbythumbingthehammer,"Dodgeexplained."Youmeanlikefanning?"Joeasked."No.Fanningiswhenyouholdtheguninonehandandkeepknockingbackthehammerwiththeother,"Dodgereplied."But inslipshootingyoufire thegunbysimplywipingyourthumbbackoverthehammer.It'sabitslowerthanfanning,butmoreaccurate.""Howwouldagunbefixedforslipshooting?"Frankputin.Dodge shrugged. "Oh, often the trigger's taken out, and the hammer spurlowered. Sometimes a slip shootermay cut off part of the barrel so he cancarrytheguninhispocket.""Soundslikearealgunfighter'strick,"Joesaid."Youboysaimin'totryit?"Burkegrinned."No,"Joereplied."I justmeantthataslipgunisn'tsomethingalaw-abidingpersonwouldbeapttohavearound.""Everseenone?"Frankaskedthetwomen.Burke promptly shook his head.Dodge looked a bit startled, then answeredslowly, "No. Stop to think of it, I don't even recall where I acquired thatinformation.OneofthosethingsyoupickupintheWest,Isuppose."Theboyssaidgood-byandwentout.Thenightwaschillierthaneverandthewindbiting."Where to?" Joe asked, pulling his jacket collar up for protection. "Back toHank's?""Not yet," Frank said. "Let's see if we can find that gun the hooded mandropped.""Hey,that'sright!"Asthetwoheadedbacktowardtheghosttown,Franksaid thoughtfully,"Looksas thoughwenowhave twoprimesuspects,Joe.""Right-Burke,orBobDodge,whichishardtobelieve.Butthoseburrsonhisclothessurelookedsuspicious.""Dodge admitted hewas on the hillside," Frank pointed out. "I suppose thecemeteryisn'ttheonlyplacetheygrow."

"You'll have to admit, though, it's a real coincidence," Joe argued. "On theotherhand,Burketookalongtimetoopenthedoorforus."Franknodded."Longenoughtoyankoffahoodandgetoutofwetclothes.Iwishwecouldhavesearchedhisbackroom.""Anotherthing,"Joewenton,"thegeneralstorewouldbeaperfectsetupforaspyofBigAl'sinLuckyLode.""It surewould,"Frank agreed. "Burke has a chance to learn everything thatgoeson.What'smore,hecouldrelaytelephoneortelegraphmessagesbetweenBigAlandmembersoftheganginotherspots-evenhandlemailforthem.""HecouldprovideBigAlwithsupplies,too,includingthatredpaint."Theboystrudgedalonginsilence."WecanbuildjustasstrongacaseagainstDodge,"Franksaidafterawhile."ItseemsstrangetomethathekeepshangingaroundLuckyLode,insteadoftendingtohisbusinessinHelena.""I'vewonderedabout that, too,"Joeconceded,"even thoughheclaims tobestayinghereonaccountofthecaseDad'sworkingon.IfDodgeisincahootswiththegang,hemaybekeepinganeyeonthegang'sdoings.Also,hecouldbeusingthecoptertotransportsuppliestothecrooks.""Anddon'tforgetthatshotgunboobytrapattheairport,"Frankadded."Dodgesent us to the copter alone-which could mean he wanted to make sure hewasn'tinrangewhenthegunwentoff."Joefrowned."Butwouldacompanypresidentplotwithacrooktorobhisowntruck?""Whynot?Themoneywas coveredby insurance.Andhemight havehiredDadtoallaysuspicion."As the boys neared the old abandoned hotel, they watched the display ofnorthernlightssweepingacrossthesky."Youknow,Frank,"Joesaidslowly,"there'sonebigthinginDodge'sfavor.""What'sthat?""Dadlikeshim.""You're right,"Frankagreed. "From thewayDad spoke last night, he reallyadmiresDodge- andDad's a good judge of character.He neverwould havetalkedaboutDodgeashedidifhesuspectedhim."Making theirway through thesideyard to thebackof thehotel, theHardysswitchedontheirflashlightsandbegansearchingforthegun.Presently Joe exclaimed, "Here it is!" The revolver lay in a clump ofundergrowth.Joepickeditupcarefullybythetriggerguard."It'saslipgun,allright,"Frankcommented."Notrigger,andthebarrel'sbeen

cutshort.""ThatmeansSlipGun is themanwe followed from the cemetery!He'sBigAl'sspy.""Yes,"Frankagreed."Youknow,Joe-Dodgemighthavebeen thepersonweheardfollowingus.""Maybe,butthere'snowaytobesure,"Joepointedout."SlipGunisahuskyfellow,andDodgeandBurkearebothbigmen.Eitheronewouldanswerthedescription.""Trueenough,"Frankconceded."Besides,ifDodgedidfollowus,whydidn'theadmitit?"When the Hardys got back to the cabin, both their father and Hank weresleeping soundly. Frank and Joe checked the slip gun for fingerprints, butfoundnone clear enough to photograph.Evidently thehoodedman's glovedhandhadsmudgedanythatmighthaveexistedbeforethenight'sevents.Thebrothersundressedquicklyandcrawledintotheirbunks.AsJoeblewouttheoil lamp,Frankyawnedandsaidsleepily, "Wonderwhat 'Shadowof theBear'means?""Metoo.Somethingelsetotrackdown-"Joe'svoicetrailedoffandhewasfastasleep.Neitherboyneededanalarmclock.Theygotupatdawnwithoutdisturbingthemenandhadaquickbreakfast.Thentheywentoutside,saddleduptheirhorses,andmounted."DoyouhaveHank'ssketchof themines?"Joeaskedas theystartedup thehill."Right here." Frank patted his pocket. "I wish we still hadMike Onslow'smap.""PoorMike!" Joe reined inhis skittishhorse. "Iwishwecould findat leastsomeofhismissinggold.""SodoI."Frankaddedwithachuckle,"I'llbetAuntGertrudeisfussingoverhimrightnowlikeamotherhen."Whentheboysreachedthetopofthehill,theycouldseethesunlightstartingtoworkitswayoverWindyPeak."LuckySlipGundidn'tstopus,"saidJoeastheyhaltedtostudythemap.Brady's Mine, they found, was located to the north, not far away. Half anhour'sridebroughtthemtoapointsomewherebelowtheminesite.Heretheboysdismountedandledtheirhorsescarefullyuptheslope.Frankand Joe scouted the area,but could seenobody,nor any tracks in the

snow."Let'stakealookinside,"Joesuggested.The boys tied their horses to a clump of bushes a hundred yards from themouth of the mine. After making sure their flashlights were working, theycautiouslyapproachedthedarkholeintheedgeofthehill.Themineentrancewasbigenoughforthemtowalkerect.Inside,theHardyspaused to listen, then snappedon their flashlights.Theywere in a fair-sizedcavern, which had been hacked and blasted out of the mountainside. Justahead,atunnelslopeddownwardintodarkness.Among the rubble on the floorwere some lengths of rusty iron pipe and adiscardedpickwithabrokenhandle."Doesn'tlookasifanyonehasbeenhereinalongtime,"Joemurmured.Hisvoiceechoedweirdlyinthechillycavern.Frankwasabout to replywhensuddenlybothboys stiffened. "Didyouhearsomething?"hewhispered."Isuredid!"Asthebrothersfrozeintosilence,thesoundcameagain-tap...tap-tap...tap."Spirits!"Joegasped."Tommy-knockers!"

CHAPTERIXTheCrowbarClue

THEtappingnoisesfromwithintheminediedaway.FrankandJoelookedateachotheruncertainly."You don't really believe that superstition about spirit rapping?" Frankmuttered."Ofcoursenot,"Joewhispered."Itdidsoundspooky,though.""Morelikelyit'sBigAl'sgang,"Franksaid,peeringaroundintently.Joe'sfacetookonatroubledfrown."Buttherewerenoprintsoutsideshowingthatanyoneelsehadcomehere.""Maybethere'sanotherentrance,"Frankargued."Let'sfindout."Thetwoboysstartedforwardintothetunnel.Itswallsandceilingwereshoredwith ancient timbers that gave out a smell of moldy dampness. Thepassagewaynot only sloped downward, but turned and twisted.Evidently ithadbeentunneledouttofollowtheveinofore.

Presentlythefloorofthepassageleveledoff.TheHardysprobedthedarknessaheadwiththeyellowglowoftheirflashlights.Stilltherewasnosignofthetunnelcomingtoanendoropeningoutintoalargeexcavation."Howfardoesthisgo?"Joesaidtensely."Ithastoendsomewhere,"Frankreplied.Bothboysfelttheirnervestauten.Theeeriestillnesswasbrokenonlybythesoundoftheirfootstepsechoinghollowlythroughthetunnel.Suddenly Frank came to a halt and pointed to the handle of a crowbarprotruding frombetween twoof thewall timbers.Thebarwaspaintedwithbright-redmarkings.TheHardysbentclosetoexaminethem.AL-5-X-*-4"'Al!'"Joeread."ThismaybeacodemessagefromBigAltothegang!""Ormaybeamessage toBigAl,"Frankcountered.He testedoneof the reddaubswithhisfinger.Thepaintwasdrybutlookedfreshenoughtohavebeenappliedrecently.Joetriedtopuzzleoutthemeaningofthemessage."Anyideas,Frank?"The older boy shook his head. "Beats me- unless," he added slowly, "thecrowbarwasputheretomarkacertainspotinthemine.""Maybesomething'shiddenbehindthetimbers!"Joeconjecturedexcitedly.Frankdoubtedthis."Theseshoringslookasifthey'vebeenhereforever.""Let'smakesure,"Joeurged."We'llwant to takethecrowbaralongwithus,anyhow,sowecancheckitforclues.Holdmyflashlight,willyou?"Gripping the handle carefully, so that at least part of the surface could betestedlaterforfingerprints,Joeyankedhardonthecrowbar.Itgavescarcelyat all. He threw hiswholeweight into the effort and began forcing the barfromsidetoside.Thetimberingcreakedominously.I"Hey,becareful!"Frankwarned."Thistunnelisn'tshoreduptoosolidlyalonghere!""Don'tworry-I canget thebar out." Joegrunted, heavinghard. "It's comingnow!"The rotten wood crumpled and shredded as the crowbar gouged into it.Suddenly,asJoegaveonelasthardyank,therewasaloudsplinteringnoise.Theceilingsagged."Look out!" Frank cried out. He grabbed Joe's arm, and both boys leapedaheadinthenickoftime.Asplitsecondlaterthetunnelcavedin!Astheboysdashedtosafety,tonsof

earthand rockcamepouringdown.Thepassagewayrumbledand thunderedwiththedeafeningimpact."Goodgrief!"Joestaredback inaweafterheandhisbrotherhadcometoahaltdeeperinsidethetunnel."Ishouldhavelistenedtoyourwarning,Frank!""Forget it. Let's be thankful neither of us got hurt and that I still have ourflashlights."Both boys coughed and tried to screen their noses from the cloud of dustbillowingthroughthepassage.Graduallytheparticlessettled."Howdowegetoutofhere?"Joeaskedworriedly."Digourwaythrough?"Thebrothersstrodebacktowardthesceneofthecave-in.Thetunneltherewastotallyblockedbythetremendousfallofdirtandrock."Whataboutthecrowbar?"Frankaskedsuddenly."Wecanusethat.""I dropped it," Joe admitted, red-faced. "It's somewhere underneath all thisrubble.""Oh,great.""Maybewecanstilldigthrough,"Joesaid."Comeon-let'stry!"TheHardysset theirflashlightsontheground, thenbeganclawingawaythedebris with their hands. Soon the boys were panting and soaked withperspiration. In addition to loose dirt and stones, huge hunks of rock hadbrokenoffandbeencarrieddownwardinthecave-in.Aftertryingvainlytoshiftoneenormousstonefragment,FrankandJoegaveupindespair."We'llnevermakeit,"Franksaid,breathinghard."Wedon'tevenknowhowfarthecave-inextends."Joeleanedagainst thewall tocollecthisstrength."Thatmeanswe'llhavetofindanotherwayoutofhere.""Ifthereisone."Althoughneitherboysaidsoaloud, theyknewtheirsituationwasdesperate.Brady's Mine was only one of the places on Hank's map which they hadpickedouttosearchandtheyhadtoldnooneofthecluetheyhadoverheard.Nodoubta searchpartywouldbeorganizedwhen they failed to return.Buthowlongwouldtheybetrappedundergroundbeforehelpmightarrive?"No use standing here," Frank said finally. "Let's find outwhere the tunnelleads."

"Right.We'regettingfreshair,sotheremustbeanexit."Usingonlyoneflashlightinordertoconservetheirbatterypower,theHardyspressedon."Joe, there's another reasonwhywe'll find an exit," Frank said suddenly. "Ibelieve someone from thegangwasdoing that tapping. If so, hemust havebeenonthissideofthecave-in.""Sure-andthenoisesweheardwerethesoundsofthecrowbarbeingpoundedintoposition,"Joeguessed."Let'shopehehasn'theardus,"Frankmurmured."Andthechancesaretherewasmorethanonememberoftheganghere.""Probably theyscootedout theotherentrance,so theywouldn'tbecaught inthecave-in,"Joereasoned."Butwe'dbettertalkinwhispersjustthesame."Bothboysrealizedalsothattheflashlightbeamwouldmakethemeasytargets.Buttheyhadnochoice.Withouta light toguide them, therewouldbenohopeof findingawayoutthroughtheinkydarkness.Presentlythetunnelwidened,openingintoasizablecavern.TheHardysheldtheirbreathasFrankswepthisflashlightbeamrapidlyaboutthechamber.HeandJoewerereadytodivetothefloororretreatatthefirstsignofanenemy.Butthecavernwasempty."Look!"Frankexclaimed."Anothertunnel!"Heaimedhislighttowardadarkholethatgapedinthefarwall.Thetwoboyshurriedtoexamineit.Thispassagewaywasnarrowerthantheone theyhad just leftandnotshoredby timbers. Itwashighenoughfor theHardystowalkerect,butinplacestheyfounditatightsqueeze.This time, Joe took the lead. Although the tunnel twisted and turned, hepressed forward steadily.He became aware that the cool draftwas growingstronger."Feel the breeze?" Joe called back over his shoulder. "Wemust be near theend."Joehadspokentoosoon.Theyturnedasharpcornerandthetunnelendedinasheerwallofsolidrock.Theycouldgonofarther!Theboysshonetheirflashlightsupward.Therewasnothingtoseebuttherockroof.Joegaveagroanandsankdownontherockyfloorofthetunnel."What'llwe

donow?"Forafewminutesthebrotherssatinsilence.ThensuddenlyFrankleapedtohisfeet."Thedraft!"hesaid."Whataboutit?""We'vepassedtheopening."Franksnappedonhislightandstartedbackdownthetunnel.Joescrambledtohisfeetandfollowed.Astheymovedbackaroundthebendagain,theycouldfeelthemovementofairontheircheeks."Theaircurrentseemstoflowfromsomewhereupabove,"Franksaid,aiminghislighttowardtheroof."Itdoes!"Joeexclaimed."Seethatcrack?"Highoverhead,welloutofreach,wasarockyshelfprotrudingfromthewall.Frankgrabbedahandfulofdustandtossedituptotheshelf.Somedroppedontheedge,buttherestremainedintheairandthenslowlydriftedawayoutofsight."That'sit!"Joesaidexcitedly."There'ssomethingbeyond!Itmustleadtoanexit."Frankbracedhimselfagainstthewall."Upyougo,Joe!"QuicklyJoeclimbedtohisbrother'sshouldersandfoundhecouldeasilyreachtherockyshelf.Joegrippedtheedgeandpulledhimselfupward.Thenhelayonhisstomachand,reachingdown,graspedFrank'shandinafireman'sgrip.AsecondlaterFrankwasseatedbesideJoe.WhentheHardysturned,theyfoundstillanothertunnelfacingthem.Thisoneslanted upward from the shelf and was too low-roofed for anyone to walkupright. Aiming their lights ahead, the boys crawled on hands and kneesthroughthecrampedarea.Presently aglimmerofdaylight showedahead. Joewas about to exclaim inreliefwhenamurmurofvoicessuddenlyreachedtheboys'ears.TheHardyskneltmotionlessandlookedateachother.Weremembersofthegangjustoutsidethetunnelexitwaitingforthem?Frankputafingertohislips.Withoutawordtheboysresumedtheircrawling-butmoreslowlyandquietlynow-towardthemouthofthepassage.Neartheopeningtheyhalted.AvoicewhichFrankandJoerecognizedasthatofthethinmantheyhadoverheardatthecemeterywassaying:"Thosekidsoughttobeshowin'anytimenow,ifthecave-indidn'tget'em."

Then anotherman, deeper-voiced, chuckled. "If it didn't,we'll trap 'em likeratscomin'outofahole!"

CHAPTERXAmbushTrail

APANGoffearshotthroughFrankandJoeastheyrealizedtheyweretrappedin the mine. A clump of brush partly screened the tunnel mouth, but theHardys'enemieswerewaitingoutside-readytoseizetheboysthemomenttheyappeared!Scarcely daring to breathe, the boys listened as the thin man went on: "Ifigured it was them Hardys eavesdroppin' at the graveyard last night." Helaughed."Prettysmarto'megivin'outthathintaboutBrady'sMine,eh?""Theyfellforit,allright,"hispartneragreed."Andthatcrowbarbusiness,too,withthephonycode.Bestpartis,it'lllookaccidental."Theboysheardadeep-throatedchuckle.Joeshotashamefacedglanceathisbrother.Thecrowbarmusthavebeenpaintedtoattracttheirattentionandthencunninglyplantedataweaklyshoredpartofthetunnel!Thethinmancontinued,"I'llreallygetakickouto'payin'offthosebrats.BigAlwasplentysoreatme'causethatshotgunsetupinthecopterdidn'tworkout.""'Twasn'tyourfault,Slim.""Trytellin'thattoAl.HewasmadoverSlipGunnotgettin'thekidslastnight.Nowheblamesmeforwastin'timethismornin'.""Howcome?""Aw, that special business he keeps harpin' on -it's all he thinks about. Hewantedus todosomesearchin'elsewhere today,but theHardyscomin'herechangedhisplans."Therewas silence for awhile.Frankand Joewaited tensely, digestingwhattheyhadoverheard.ThenSlimspokeagain."Wonderhowmuchlongerwe'llhavetowait?I'mgettin'fedup,perchin'hereinthiscold.""Maybethekidscan'tfindtheirwayout,"hispartnersuggested."Iftheyain'tdeadalready,thatis.""Yousurethetunnelcavedin,Jake?""Sure.Sounded likeanearthquake. Icouldsee thedustcomin'out the front

end.""Didyoumakecertainthetunnelwascompletelyblocked?"Slimasked."Well, I didn't actually go inside and look. Imight've got trapped. Besides,theydidn'tshowup!""Youchowderhead!"Slimexplodedirritably."Ifitain'tblocked,thekidsmaystillbeabletosquirmout.Goonbackandmakesure.""Okay,okay."Jakesoundedasifheweregettingtohisfeet."Wait!Gotanotheridea.Youfetchtheirhorsesandbring'embackherebeforeyoucheckthetunnel,"Slimadded."Thatway,there'llbenochanceo'theHardyspullin'asneak."AfterwarningJoetosilence,Frankwriggledforwardandpeeredoutthroughthescreenofbrush.InthedistancehecouldseeJake'sstockyfigureheadingdownthesnow-coveredmountainsideonhiswaytothemineentrance.Frankwas astonished at how far Jakehadgone in a few seconds.Since thetwomen had conversed in low voices, the speakers had sounded as if theywerefairlyclosetotheclumpofbrush.NowFrankrealizedhismistake.Theopeningwasononesideofanarrowdraw.Slimwasevidentlyperchedoutofsight,somewherehigherupthemountainside-probablyholdingarifletocovertheboys.The twomenmusthave thought their conversationwas inaudible to anyoneelse,butthesteep-sideddrawhadcausedanechoeffect,trappingtheirvoicesandreflectingthesoundbacktowardthetunnel.Frank signaled his brother to crawl forward and join him. Stealthily Joecomplied.SeveralminuteslaterJakereturned, leadingtheboys'horses.Slimcamedowntheslopetomeethim."Nosignof'em,"theHardysheardJakereport."Checkinsidethetunnel,"Slimtoldhispartner."If theydidn'tgetburiedbythecave-in,we'resupposedtotake'emuptoWindyPeak."The thugs exchanged one or two other remarks, but their conversationwascarriedawaybyasurgeoficywindsweepingdownthedraw.Jake turned and started off again, heading back to the mine entrance. Slimthrewaglance toward theclumpofbrush tomakesure theirquarryhadnotyet emerged. Then he took the boys' horses and trudged toward a stunted,leaflesstreegrowingoutofthemountainside."Let'sjumphim!"Joeurged.

Frank had noticed that the man wore a long-barreled revolver in a holsterslungathiship.Ifhehadarifle,hemusthaveleftitatthespotwhereheandJakehadbeenwaiting."It'srisky,butwe'lltry,"Frankagreed.Themoaningofthewindwouldhelpcoverthesoundoftheirfootstepsinthesnow, andSlim's backwas turned as he prepared to tether the horses to thetree.Jakewasalreadyoutofsightbehindashoulderofthehill."It'snowornever!"Frankhissed.Slitheringfromtheholeandpast thescreenofbrush, theboysdartedacrossthe slope. Theywere halfway to themanwhen one of the horses suddenlydetectedtheboysandwhinnied.Slimmutteredanoathandjerkedthehorseroughlybyitsbridle.Heseemedtorealizethatsomethingbehindhimhadstartledtheanimal.Themanwhirled,hishandstreaking toward thegunathiship.At the samemoment,Frankhurledhimselfthroughtheairinaflyingtackle.JustasSlimyankedhisgunfromitsholster,Frankrammedintohim!InaninstantJoehadjoinedthefray.Hestunned.Slimwithabackhandsmashtothesideofthehead.Asthethugwentlimp,hisrevolverarcedintotheairandwenthurtlingdownthemountainside."Comeon!Grabyourhorse!"Joeurged."We'vegottogetoutofherebeforeJakefindsoutwhathappenedandstartsfiringatus."Theboysquicklyuntiedtheirmountsandswungintothesaddles.Thehorseswhinnied,thenwentgallopingdownthedrawasFrankandJoedugtheirheelsintothehorses'flanks.FrankthrewaglanceoverhisshoulderjustintimetoseeSlimstaggeringtohisfeet.Theman'sfacewaslividwithfury."Jake!"hebawledatthetopofhislungs."TheHardykidsaregettin'away!"Hisvoicetrailedoffandwaslostagainstthewind.Momentslaterariflecrackechoed,butbynowtheboyswerewelloutofrange."Didyouspotthemen'shorses?"Joecalled."Upthemountainside,Ithink,"Frankyelledback."We'dbetternotcountonabiglead!"Theboyspushedtheirmountshard,takingdesperatechancesalongtherockydeclivities.Nosoundsofpursuit reachedtheirears,andgraduallyFrankandJoeslowedtheirpace.In about twentyminutes they topped the ridgeoverlookingLuckyLodeandrode down the trail into town. As their horses clip-clopped along themain

streettowardHank'scabin,Frankasked,"DidyouhearwhatthatfellowSlimsaidaboutItakingustoWindyPeak?""I sure did," Joe returned. "It could mean that's Al's hideout. Let's searchthere."Franknodded."It'llbeanovernighttrip.We'llneedsupplies."Theboysweresurprisedtofindabatteredbluestationwagonparkedinfrontoftheircabin."DocWhitlow'shere,"Hankexplainedwhen theywent inside."He's inwithyourpanow.""IsDadworse?"Frankasked,concerned."Notexactly,buthespentakindo'restlessnight.Andthismornin'hefeltlikehewasrunnin'aslightfever.SoIfetchedthedoc."Minuteslaterthephysician,ayoungmanwithabrownbeard,emergedfromMr.Hardy'sroom."Nothingtoworryabout,"DocWhitlowannounced."Apparentlyyourfatheroverexertedhimselfyesterdayandirritatedthefracture.""Heshouldn'thaveworkedonthewall,"Franksaid."Igavehimsomethingtoeasethepain,"thedoctorsaid."He'ssleepingnow."DocWhitlowdeclinedHank'sofferoflunch,sayinghehadtogetbacktohisoffice in thenearby townofBearCreek.Afterhehad left,HankpreparedamealofbeansandfrankfurtersandsatdowntoeatwithFrankandJoe."Youboysjustmissedseein'BobDodge,"heremarked."Whenwashehere?"Joeasked."Just a while 'fore you two showed up. Say- you boys look like you beenthroughthemill.Whathappened?"TheHardys related all that had taken place the night before, aswell as theentrapment at Brady's Mine and their narrow escape from the two gangmembers,SlimandJake.Hank,too,waspuzzledbytheShadowoftheBearreference.Theboysaskedhimtopassonafullreporttotheirfather."Youmeanyouwon'tbearoundtotellhim?""We'regoingup to investigateWindyPeak,"Frank replied. "The sooner thebetter."AworriedlookspreadovertheWesterner'sleatheryface.Heurgedtheboystobeextremelycautious,nowthatthegangwasclearlytryingtogetridofthem.Heagreedtoprovidesuppliesforthetrip,however,andtolendthemhismareDaisyforuseasapackhorse.Soontheboyswerereadytostart.

"What's the easiest way to get up Windy Peak, Hank?" asked Joe as hetightenedthecinch."Thereain'tnoeasyway this timeo'year," theman replied. "You'llhave totake an old Indian path called Ambush Trail, up near Brady'sMine. Startsabouthalfamilenortho'themineentrance.Butwatchyourstep.""Badgoing?"Frankputin."Plenty bad. Even in summer, that trail's full o' narrow ledges and hairpinturns.Nowit'llbelotsworse.We had a freak thaw early this month that probably loosened quite a fewboulders.Someplacesyou'llbeonicyledgeslookin'straightdownthesideofacliff."Hank's warning proved to be fully justified. At first the trail seemed fairlyeasy, but as they left the timberline behind, the path narrowed and woundconfusingly in and out among the rocky outcrops on the face of themountainside."I'llbeteventheIndiansgotlostsometimesonthissnakytrail,"Joeremarkedwryly.Ontheirleftthemountaintoweredsheerabovethem,withprecariouslypoisedbouldersandcrusteddriftsofsnow.Half-dislodgedclumpsofearthandrockprojectedfromthecliffside."Thiswouldbeabadplacetogetcaughtinanavalanche,"Frankobserved.Joegulped."Whew!Don'teventhinkit!"Presently the boys saw horseshoe prints in the snow.Apparently the riders,whoevertheywere,hadcutinfromsomesidepath."Atleastweseemtobeontherighttrail,"Joesaidtensely."Probablymembersofthegang,"Frankcautioned."We'dbetterkeepasharpeyeout."The prints faded out presently as the path became more glazed and rocky.Soonthetrailnarrowedsomuchthattheboyswereforcedtoproceedsinglefile.Bothgulpedastheyglanceddownthecliffattheicyriverbelow.JoewasclosebehindwhenFrankturnedasharpcorneronthetrailandreinedtoahalt.Aheadwasahugebarrierofsnow,rocks,andlogs."Musthavebeenanavalanche,"Joesaid.Frankmovedforwardforabetterlook."Maybenot,"hecommented."Thoselogsdon'tlooklikewindfalls-theycouldhavebeencutbymen.Anyhow-ourtrailisblocked."Aftersizingupthesituation,FrankandJoedecidedtoriskskirtingthecurve

ofthehillside,whichseemedlesssteepatthispoint."Maybewecangetbackonthetrailsomewherebeyondthebarrier,"Joesaidhopefully.Dismounting, the Hardys started cautiously downward. Frank went first,leadinghishorseandDaisy.Joefollowedwithhismount.For awhile the footing seemed fairly sure.TheHardyshadnegotiated theirway around part of the slopewhen Frank suddenly felt the ground shiftingbeneathhisfeet."Lookout,Joel"hecriedout."There'slooseshaleunderthissnow!"Aspatterof stonesandearthwentclatteringdown themountainside.As thebrothers scrambled for safer ground, theirmountsbecamepanicky, neighingandpawingwildlyforafoothold.The horses' bucking dislodged stillmore shale. The next instant, the horsesandtheboyswentslippingandslidingdownwardinthelandslide.Allthreeoftheanimalswentoverontheirsidesinaswirlofflyinghoofs.Frank and Joe were half stunned as they tumbled on down the mountain.Belowwasanicycreek.Suddenlytheyweresailingthroughtheair.Crash!...Crash!The Hardys and their horses shattered the ice and disappeared below thesurfaceofthemountaintorrent!

CHAPTERXIShadowoftheBear

THEicyshockofthewaterstungtheHardysbacktofullconsciousness.Theyflailedtheirarmsandlegswildly,fightingtogettothesurface.Frank brokewater first, gasping for breath.His heart skippedwhen he sawnothing but the half-frozen river, the struggling horses, and the steep-sidedcanyon.WherewasJoe?Then his brother bobbed to the surface nearby. "Thank goodness," Frankmurmured.Neitherboyhadbreath tospare tomakehimselfheardabovetheroarof therushing current. The ice extended outward from both banks, but near thecenter, the water was surging along in full torrent. With every passingmoment,FrankandJoewerebeingsweptfartherdownstream.

Joe pointed to the horses. The two saddle animalswere breaking theirwaythroughtheice,graduallyswimmingandflounderingtowardshore.Daisy,theelderly packmare, loaded downwith supplies, was having amore difficulttime."Shemaydrown!"Frankthoughtfearfully.HeandJoesummonedalltheirstrengthandswamtowardthefranticanimals.In a few minutes their own horses managed to reach the bank. Daisy wasrollinghereyes,whinnyingandsnortingwithterror.ButFrankandJoewerefinallyabletosteerhertosafetythroughthebrokenice.At last the boys staggeredout of thewater and floppeddownon the rocky,snow-coveredbank.Thesaddlehorsesstoodshakingthemselvesfartheruptheshore,andDaisytrottedontojointhem."Wow!"Joetookadeepbreath."Whatadayforaswim!""Joe, we're pretty lucky, at that." Frank got up. "We'd better see about thesupplies.""Andafire-ifwecanmakeone,"Joeadded.Bothboyswereshiveringandbluewithcold.Theyhurriedtowardthehorses.AtleasthalftheprovisionsandgearstrappedtoDaisy'sbackhadcomelooseandhadbeencarriedaway."Let's get out of sight first," Joe suggested. "Someonemaybe spyingonusfromuponthemountain.""Right!" Frank agreed. "I'm sure now that the barrier on the trail was noaccident."The brothers led the horses toward some sheltering timber. Just beyond thetrees theydiscovereda rockyrecess in themountainside.Here theygroupedthehorsesandproceededtosurveythestateoftheirsupplies."Well,"Joesaid,"atleastit'snotsobadasitmighthavebeen."Most of their provisions were gone, as well as their tent and other campequipment. But they had blankets, towels, spare clothing, fishing gear,compass, matches, and some food. Luckily, everything had been packed inwaterproofwrapping."I'm sure glad we still have that compass," Frank remarked, as the boysunsaddledthehorsesandusedthetowelstorubdowntheanimals."Youbet,"Joeagreed."Ifweshouldloseourbearingsinthiswildernesswithourfoodsolow,we'dreallybeinajam.""Youbuildafire,Joe,"Franksuggested,"whileIgetoutdryclothesforus."After donning fresh clothing in the warmth from the crackling flames, and

drying their wind-breakers, the Hardys soon felt more comfortable. Theirhorsesrecoveredrapidlyandbegantonibbletheshrubsandwinter-drybrushstickingupthroughthesnow.Frank stepped out of their rocky niche and shaded his eyes toward the sun,whichwasalreadyredandlowinthesky.Inanotherhalfhouritwouldbeoutofsightbehindthemountains."Toolatetodomuchtravelingnow,"saidFrank."WemayaswellcamphereandstrikeoutforWindyPeakearlyinthemorning.""Okay,Frank.I'lltrysomefishing.Thatlookslikeatroutstream."Heput their collapsible fishing rod togetherandheadedoff among the treestowardthebankoftheriver."Watchyoursteponthatice!"Frankcalled.As Joe disappeared fromview, his brother took out their precious compass.Usingthesettingsunasareference,hecheckedtheactionoftheneedletoseeifanymagneticoreintherangemightbeaffectingit.Thedeviation,ifany,seemedtobeveryslight."It'sacinchwe'llnevergetbackuptheclifftothetrail,"Frankthought."Atleastnothere.We'llhavetofollowtheriverandtrytofindsomeplacewherethecanyonwallsarenotsosteep.""Frank!Frank!"ItwasJoecallingfromtheriver."Help!Frank,help!""Theice!"Frankthought."Joe'sbrokenthrough!"Layingthecompassonaflatrock,theolderHardydashedtowardtheriver.ToFrank'samazement,Joewasinnodanger.Buthewassprawledflatontheice,clingingdesperately to the rod and tryingnot to lose theprize catchhehadhooked.ThefishhadsoundedandwasbendingtherodalmosttoaU-shapeasitfoughttoescape."Quick!Givemeahand!"Joeshouted.Frankflat-footedgingerlyoutontotheice,grabbedtheline,andbeganhaulingin."Iguesswe'rebreakingalltherulesforgamefishing,"hecalledbackwithachuckle,"butthisisonefellowwecan'trisklosing!"The fishputupa furious struggle that roused theboys' admiration,but theyfinallymanagedtoreelinahugecutthroattrout."Boy,whataswellcatch!"Frankcried."There'soursupper!""Firstfishthateverdeckedme,"Joesaid,grinning."Butthenit'sthefirsttimeI'veevertriedtroutfishingonice."

Back at camp, Joe set about cleaning the fishwhile Frank built up the fire.SuddenlyJoeheardhisbrothergasp."What'swrong?""Thecompass!"Frankexclaimed."Ileftitrighthereonthisflatrock.Nowit'sgone!""Areyousure?""Positive.Iputitexactlywherethispineconeis.Waitaminute!Thatwasn'there before!" Frank broke off and picked up the pine cone.An exasperatedlookspreadoverhisface."Youknowwhat,Joe?Apackrathasbeenhere!""I'llbetyou're right!" Joedeclared. "The ratpickedup thecompassbecauseit'sbrightandshiny,andleftthepineconeinitsplace."TheHardyslookedateachothergravely.Anyother timethesituationmighthavebeenfunny,butrightnowthecompasswasvitaltothem.Withoutit,theymightneverfindtheirwaysafelyoutofthewilderness."Comeon!Let'slookforit!"Frankurged."Irememberreadingthatpackratswilloftendropaprizeifsomethingelsecatchestheireye."Theboysbeganasystematicsearch,pacingbackandfortharoundthecampinwidening circles. At last Frank detected some faint rodent tracks in thetrampledsnowandsoonspottedashinyobjectinthecliffsidebrush.Frankpouncedon the compasswith a cryof relief. "Whew!"he exclaimed."Whatabreak!""Betterkeepitinyourpocketfromnowon,"Joeadvised.The trout, cooked over heated rocks,made a tasty dish.After themeal, theboysfeltmorecheerful.Astheyhuddledaroundthecampfireintheirblankets,Franksaidthoughtfully,"Tomorrow'sthedayforBigAl'smeeting.""Right.Iwishwecouldfindtheplace.""IfonlyweknewwhatShadowoftheBearmeant,"Frankmused.In spite of the cold and their desperate situation, the boys slept well. Thehorses,too,evidentlyrestedwellduringthenight,stayingclosetogetherneartheembersofthefire.Next morning Frank and Joe made a cold break-fast of oatmeal mush anddried apricots from their scanty supplies. Then they fed and saddled thehorses,strappedtheirremaininggearonDaisy'sback,andheadeddownriver.Thecanyon turnedand twistedalong thecurveof themountainside,and thefooting was treacherous. As they rode, the Hardys continually scanned thesidesofthegorge,hopingtofindarouteoutofthecanyon.Twice they dismounted and tried to thread their way upward, leading the

horses.Butbothtimesthecliffwallprovedtoosteep.At last, however, the canyon opened out and the slope of the cliffs becamemoregentle.Relieved,FrankandJoehaltedforanothercoldmeal.Thentheyrode to higher ground and struck back across the rolling foothills of themountainrangeinthegeneraldirectionoftown.Eventually they cut into a beaten trail. About midafternoon, the brothersswung over a rise on the rocky, snow-covered path and Frank reined upsharply."Look!"heexclaimed,andindicatedtheareatotheirright.Looming against the sky was a huge, ungainly rock formation that crudelyresembledabearstandingupright."Al'smeetingplace!"Joebreathed.Dismounting,theboysground-hitchedtheirhorsesoutofsightbehindaclumpof boulders.Then they crept cautiously toward the huge rock formation.Totheir surprise, Frank and Joe discovered that it was poised on the rim of asmallboxcanyon.The Hardys cautiously peered over the edge. The canyonwas chokedwithdriftedsnow,fromwhichprotrudedafewscrubbytreesandbrush.Theviewdirectlybelowwasblockedbyashelvingoverhangofrock,abouttwentyfeetfartherdownandextendingalongthecliffwall.Theboyscoulddetectnosignorsoundofhumanbeings."Maybewemissedthemeeting,"Joemurmured."Orthisisn'ttheplace,afterall.""I'llbetitis,"Frankreplied."Myguessis,theconfabhasn'tbeenheldyet."Hegazedacrossthecanyon."Let'skeepaneyeonthatbear'sshadow."Intheloweringsuntherockformationcastaformlessshadowontheoppositewall.Astheboysstoodup,Joeremarkedwithapuzzledlook,"Thatshadowdoesn'tlookmuchlikeabear.""True.But itmight at someother timeofday.Remember,Slimdidn'tnameanyhourforthemeeting.Hejustsaid,'ShadowoftheBear.'""Igetit!"Joebrokeinexcitedly."Maybethemeetingistotakeplacewhenthebearshowsupclearlyonthecanyonwall!""Andthatoughttobewhenthesundropsalittlelower,"Frankadded.Joeasked,"Doyouthinkthemeetingwillbedowninsidethecanyon?""Probably.Upherebythisrockformationthegangwouldbetooeasytospot.""Butthislookslikeablindcanyontome,"Joeobjected."How'lltheygetinto

it?""Theremaybeanentrancewecan'tseefromhere.Let'sstayoutofsight."Theboysfoundcoverinanearbyclusterofrocksandbrush.Asthesunsanklower,thebear'sshadowacrossthecanyonbecamemoredistinctandrealistic."Listen!"Joewhisperedsuddenly.Fromsomewherebelowcameacloppingofhorses'hoofs-thenasoundofmenreining up and dismounting. The Hardys peered downward, but the rockyoverhangofthecanyonpreventedthemfromseeingwhatwastakingplace.A murmur of voices came drifting up. The boys strained their ears andrecognizedSlim'svoice,butcouldnotmakeoutwhathewassaying.Thenaharshvoice,unfamiliartotheHardys,spokeoutclearly:"YousuremuffedthingsinLuckyLode,SlipGun!""Icouldn'thelpit,BigAl,"returnedavoicetoomuffledtoidentify."OnemorejoblikethatandI'll-"theharshtonefadedtoathreateningmutter.FrankandJoecouldhardlykeepfromshoutingfor joy.TheyhadfoundBigAl!Ifonlytheycoulddaretotrycapturinghim!

CHAPTERXIIBigAl'sOrders

THEonlyreplytoBigAl'sscornfulwordswasabrief,sullenmutter.ItwassolowthattheHardyscouldnotdistinguishwhetherthespeakermighthavebeenBurkeorBobDodge.FrankandJoeexchangedagrimaceofdisappointment.IfonlytheLuckyLodespywouldspeakagain,andmoreloudly!Butevidentlyhewastoocowedbyhisboss'sangrytonetoputupanargument."Stupidcluck!"BigAlcontinuedtorant."Youhadachancetogetridofthosekids-oratleastscare'emoffthiscase.Andwhathappens?Yougetsorattledyoucan'tevenhangontoyourowngun!""Don'tworry,Al"-Jake'svoicecutinquickly,tryingtoplacatethegangleader-"Slimandmetookcareo'thembrats.""AtBrady'sMine?"thebosssnappedback."Well,no-notthere.Thecrowbarstuntworkedokay,buttheyduckedthecave-inand-"

Jake's explanation was cut short by another outburst from Big Al. Slimhastenedtosoothehim."Jake'stryin'totellyou,boss-they'rebothdrowned.""Drowned?""Yeah.We figured they'd be comin' alongAmbush Trail, so we fixed up aroadblock to sidetrack 'emandmake 'emgo lowerdown.Thecliff shoulderalong there is all loose shale, but it's coveredoverwith snow.Sure enough,theytriedtowormarounditandthegroundgaveway.Must'vebeenaregularlandsidefromthelooksofit!"Slimchuckledwithsatisfaction."Anyhow,theytookalongfallandwoundupinthedrink,horsesandall.""Yousureo'that?"BigAldemandedsuspiciously."Sure.Jakeandmecamebacktocheckandwecouldseethebreakintheicewheretheywentthrough.Weevenspottedsomeo'theirgearfloat-in'downriver.""Good! It'sabout time."BigAl soundedmollifiedby thenews. "Thosekidsknew too much- and they were too smart to fool around with. They weremakin'monkeysoutofallyouguys!""Aw,boss,wecouldn'thelpitif-"TherestofJake'swhiningprotestwaslostinthewind."Shutup!"BigAlroared."Onething'ssure-anythingthosekidsknew,they'vetold their father. So he'll have to be the next one to go. Slip Gun, you'resupposed tobehandlin' things in town.You takecareofHardy tonight.Getme?""Yeah."Onlyasingleword-andagaintoolowforthevoicetobeidentified.FrankandJoelookedateachother,stunned.Theganghadtheirfathermarkedfordeath!Theywouldhavetoreturnintimetowarnhim!"The weather's gettin' worse all the time, boss," Slim put in. "How muchlongerdowehavetokeepsearchin'?""Listen, you!"BigAl's voicewas fierce. "I staked out that loot twenty-fiveyears ago.And I aim tohave it!We'regoin' tokeep lookin' tillwe find thewreckofaplane.Thestuff'llbethere,allright-andaskeletonwithit.""Howdoyouknowthere'sawreck?"Jakeasked."Don't worry-I made sure." Big Al gave an ugly chuckle. Again his roughvoicedrifteduptothelistenersonthecliff."Enoughtalkin'.Getthesesupplycartonscutopenandloadthehorses.We'llleavepartofthestorescachedhereandtaketherestuptothehideout."Frombelowcame the soundof cardboardboxesbeing rippedopen, and the

mumbleofthemen'svoices.SuddenlyFrankandJoeheardanexclamationofannoyance."What'swrongnow?"BigAlsnarled."LookslikeSlipGunjustbrokehisknifeblade,"Jakereplied.Before the unidentified man could add anything, the gang leader snappedcurtly,"Nevermindgripin'!Useyourfingers!"Presentlytheycouldhearthemenloadingthehorses.Afewmomentslatertheboys heardBigAl's harsh tones: "You've all had your orders.Now let's getgoin'!"Horses'hoofsstarteduponarockysurfacesomewherebelow-thenfadedbitbybit,echoinghollowly.Joegrabbedhisbrother'sarm."Theremustbeapassagefromthecanyonthatleadsoutthroughthehill!"hewhisperedexcitedly."Right!We'dbettergetbacktothetrailandseeifwecanspotthem!"Frankledthewayasthebrothershurriedbacktothesitefromwhichtheyhadfirstnoticedthebearlikerockformation.Sprawlingamongthesnowandrockstoavoidbeingseen,theHardysgazedintentlydownthehillside.Foralongwhiletherewasnosignofhumans.Thesunhadvanishedbehindclouds,leavingaleaden,wintrysky.Nothingwasvisiblebelowbutthevast,ruggedexpanseoftimber-cladwilderness.Joe fidgeted anxiously. "Those fellows can't just disappear!" he muttered."They'llhavetocomeoutsomewh-"Frankhelduphishandforsilence."Theretheyare!"hewhispered.Farbelowandofftotheright,fourridershademergedfromapatchofbrushon the hillside.They pausedmomentarily, then separated.Three of themenrodeupwardthroughanotchinthehills.ThefourthheadedoffinthedirectionofLuckyLode,leadinganemptypackhorsebehindhismount."That one by himself must be Slip Gun!" Joe groaned. "If only we hadbinocularstoseewhoheis!""Maybewecanovertakehim,"Franksaidhopefully."Anyhow,theimportantthingistogettothecabinandwarnDad.Let'sgo!"Quicklytheboysgottheirhorses,swungintothesaddles,andstartedoffalongthetrail.Theywatchedforasafeplacetodescendthehillsideandsoonpickedoutalikelyroute.Thedownslope,evenhere,wassteepandslippery,buttheirhorsesmanagedtonegotiateitsuccessfully.Minutes later,Frankand JoepickedupSlipGun's trail in the snow.By this

timethespywasfaraheadandlosttoviewamongthetimber.As the boys rode along, Joe fumed impatiently. "We'll lose him ifwe don'tmakebettertime!"hesaid,urginghishorsetogreaterspeed."Takeiteasy,Joe,"Frankadvised."Thisgroundisprettyroughgoingforthehorses-they'redoingthebesttheycan.Itwon'thelpanyifoneofthembreaksaleg."Joeadmitted thewisdomofhisbrother'swords,andtheypressedforwardatthebestpacetheycouldmanage.-"Youknow,"Franksaid,"I'mbeginningtoseewhyHopkinswassointerestedwhenhesawMikeOnslow'smap.""Youmustbe thinking the same thing I am," Joe returned. "BigAlmustbelookingforOnslow'smissinggold!"Frankpoundedhisfistintohispalmasanotherthoughtstruckhim."And,ifhestaked itout twenty-fiveyearsago,"headdedexcitedly, "thatmeans-BigAland Black Pepper are the same person! Also, the wrecked plane they'relookingformustbethecrateBartDawsontookoffin!"Joenoddedthoughtfully."BigAlseemstobesureDawsondiedinthewreck.""Whichdoesn't jibewithwhatBenTinker toldus,"Frankpointedout. "BenclaimedhesawDawsoninHelenaacoupleofyearslater.""True-thoughnobodyaroundhereseemstobelieveanythingBensays.""Iknow-buthedidhearthemusicinthedancehall."Joe chuckled. "That's right. Of course it wasn't exactly played by Charlie'sghost."Duskwasgatheringfast.Bythetimetheboyshadpassedthroughthestretchoftimber,itwasnolongerpossibletomakeoutSlipGun'stracks,norseetheriderahead.BynowFrankandJoewereabletorecognizefamiliarlandmarksand insideof anhourwere crossing the ridge aboveLuckyLode.The townlightswerevisiblebelow."It'stoughluckweweren'tabletonabSlipGun,"Franksaid,asthebrothersspurredtheirhorsesdownthetrail."Let'shopewe'renottoolatetowarnDad!"Joesaidgrimly.There was no sign of the horseman they were pursuing as they poundedthroughthestreetsofLuckyLode.Theboys'fearsmountedwhentheydrewinsightofHank'scabin.Althoughdarknesshadfallen,no lightsshowedin thewindows.Frank and Joe pulled to a halt, leaped from their horses, and dashed inside,feargrippingthem.

"Hank!Dad!"Frankshouted.Nooneanswered.Withoutbotheringtolighttheoillamp,theboysblunderedthrough the darkness and hastily checked the two sleeping rooms and thekitchen.Thecabinwasempty!

CHAPTERXIIIAFightintheDark

"WE'REtoolate!"Frankmutteredinachokingvoice.Joewastoostunnedtospeak.Thekillermusthavearrivedbeforethem!Butwherehadthevictimsbeentaken?The next instant the Hardys stiffened in suspense. Someone was slippingquietlyintothecabinthroughthehalf-openfrontdoor."Thatyou,boys?"ItwasHankShale!FrankandJoerushedtoquestionhim."WhathappenedtoDad?"Joeexclaimed."Don't worry-your pa's safe," the Westerner assured them. "I just finishedmovin'himtoBenTinker'splace."A wave of relief swept over the boys. "Did you know he was in danger?"Frankasked."Wefiggeredso.AfterItoldhimhowBigAl'smentriedtogetyoulads,yourpahadahunchthegangmightcomeafterhimnext.""His hunch was right," Joe said. "Big Al's spy was ordered to kill Dadtonight!"Hankgavea lowwhistle. "By jingo, thenhe tookcover just in time!"Hanklistenedtenselyastheboysrelatedtheirlatestadventures."We'dbetternotwaitany longer,"Frankdeclared."Thekillermaymakehismove any time now. Hank, you'd better go back to Ben's place and standguard!""Whataboutyoutwo?""We'llwaithereatthecabinandseeifSlipGunshowsup,"Frankreplied."Andifhedoes,"Joedeclared,"we'llhavehimdeadtorights!""Now hold on!" said Hank. "If this feller's comin' to kill your pa, he'll bearmed.It'dbeplumbfoolishtotrytakin'himonalone."

"Thenwe'llwaitoutsideandjustseewhoheis,"Frankpromisedhastily."Thearrestcanbehandledlater."HankstartedbacktoBenTinker's.Meanwhile,Joelightedtheoillampandtheboys rummaged quickly through their father's gear for extra flashlights toreplace theones theyhad lost in the river.Then they extinguished the lampandhurriedoutside.Afterstablingtheirhorsesinthelean-to,withouttakingtimetounsaddlethem,the boys darted into a nearby clump of trees. They picked out a spot fromwhich theycouldwatch thefrontdoorof thecabinandwaited.For thenextquarterofanhournothingdisturbedthepeacefulquietoftheicynight.SuddenlyFrankgavealowhissandpointedtowardthecabin.Theboyscouldbarely discern the figure of a man, moving silently. He tried the doorcautiously,thenslippedinside."Thinkweshouldtrytonabhim?"Joewhispered."We promised Hank we wouldn't," Frank reminded his brother. "But don'tworry-once he comes back, we won't let him out of our sight till we'veidentifiedhim.Thistimehewon'tgiveustheslip!"Theboysfellsilentasafaintglowoflightshowedthroughthecabinwindow.Theglowmovedabout.Evidentlytheintruderhadbroughtaflashlightofhisown.TheHardys stiffened in surprise as a second figure suddenly loomed in thedarkness near the cabin. The newcomer halted for an instant, then movedswiftlytowardthedoorandwentinside.Joegasped,"Twoofthem!"Asecondlatercameamuffledoutburstofvoices,thenasharpcry.Confusednoisesfollowed,thenacrash."They'refighting!"Franksprangup."Comeon!Thatsecondpersonmusthavesurprisedthekiller-hemayneedhelp!"Joefollowedashisbrothersprintedfromtheirhidingplace.Frankreachedthecabinfirstandtriedtoopenthedoor.Butitresistedhisefforts,asifsomethingwereblockingit.Frankbracedhis shoulder and slammedhard against thewood.This time ityieldedandcameopenpartway."Wait-waitaminute!"avoicejustinsidemutteredthickly.Theboyspushedonthroughandalmoststumbledoversomeoneonthefloor.Frank snappedonhis flashlight. Its brightbeam revealed the faceofBurke,thestorekeeper!

"Nevermindme!Gethim!"Burkeraspedashestruggledtohisfeet."Hewentthroughthebackwindow!"Joehadalreadyswitchedonhis flashlight.AsBurkespoke, thebeamsweptthroughthedoorwayandshowedanopenwindow.Joedartedout the frontdoorandran to thebackof thecabin.Frankdashedstraighttothebedroomandstuckhisheadoutthewindow.Trackswerevisibleinthesnow,leadingofftowardtheheavybrushandtimberskirting thehillside.Joecamearoundthecornerof thecabin,pickedout thefootprintswiththebeamofhisflashlight,andbeganfollowingthem."Holdit,Joe!"Frankcalled."Thatfellowmighthaveagun!"Joe halted unwillingly and looked back at his brother. "If he had a gun,wouldn'thehaveuseditonBurke?""Howdoweknow?"Frankargued."MaybehehadnochancetodrawbeforeheknockedBurkedown-andafterheheardusatthedoor,hemayhavebeenmoreinterestedinmakingagetaway.Anyhow,don'triskit,Joel""Okay."Joeshruggedandreturnedtothecabin.By this timeBurkewas sitting down, andFrank had righted the overturnedtableandchairs.Thestorekeeperwasdisheveledandhadaraw-lookingbruiseonhisrightcheek."Whathappened?"Frankaskedhim."I came here to see you boys or your dad," Burke replied. "Instead, IdiscoveredBobDodgenosin'aroundwithaflashlight-""Dodge!"FrankandJoeexclaimedtogether."You heardme!" the storekeeper snapped.He rubbed his cheek gingerly. "Iaccusedhimofbein'acrook,andhesluggedmewithhisflashlight.Thenwestartedfightin'.FinallyDodgeknockedmedownagainstthedoor,andbeforeIcouldgetup,hescrammed.""IfDodgehadtheflashlight,howcouldyouseewhohewas?"Joeasked."Icouldn'tatfirst,"Burkeexplained."Icalledout, 'Whoareyou?'or 'Who'sthere?'-somethin'likethat.Thenhestartedgivin'mesomecock-and-bullstoryaboutlookin'foryourdadand Hank Shale, and I recognized his voice. I said, 'Don't try to kid me,Dodge-you'reinwiththatgangMr.Hardy'safter!'That'swhenheconkedmewiththeflashlight."

Theboyslookedateachotherinbewilderment."What made you suspect Dodge is in league with Big Al's gang?" Frankquestioned."Because I suddenly rememberedhimbuyin' some redpaint soonafteryourdadfirstcametoLuckyLode,"Burkereplied."Itslippedmymindwhenyouboysaskedme.That'swhatIwascom-in'heretotellyou."Frank and Joe digested this startling news. Burke's story added up to aconvincingcaseagainstDodge."Thatwouldexplainwhyhefled,"Joesaid."Ifhefiguredthejigwasup,Mr.Dodgemayhaveheadedforthegang'shideout.""Or taken off in his copter!" Frank exclaimed. "I'll see if it's stillwhere helandedus.""We'llbothgo,"Joesaid."Noneedfor that,"hisbrotherargued."You'dbetterhelpMr.Burkeback tohisstore."From the quick look his brother flashed him, Joe guessed that Frank stillmistrustedBurkeandwantedthemankeptundersurveillance.Burke,however,declinedtheoffer."Don'tworryaboutme,"hesaid."I'mokaynow."Thestorekeeperstoodup togo,butafter takingafewsteps,he teeteredandleanedweaklyagainstthewall."Whew!"Burkemuttered,shakinghishead."GuessI'mstillabitwoozyfromthatcloutDodgegaveme."Joehelpedhimbacktothechair,thenwentforsomewaterfromthekitchenpump.Beforeleaving,FrankmadeanexcusetojoinJoe."TakeBurketothestore,"hewhispered."ThengostraighttoBenTinker'sandmakesureDad'sokay.I'llmeetyouthere."Frankwent outside, got his horse from the lean-to, and rode off toward theclearingwherehejudgedthehelicopterwasparked.Joe,meanwhile,bathedBurke'sheadwithcoldwaterandbandagedhisinjuredcheek."Wheredidyourdadgo?"Burkeasked."HeandHankShaleare followinga leadon thecase,"Joesaidvaguely.Hethen suggested that they take the remaining twohorses and ride, rather thanwalk,tothestore.

Burkeshookhishead."It'snotfarenoughtobother.Besides,thewayIfeel,I'mnotsureIcouldstickontoasaddle."Joeassistedhimonfoottothestorewithnofurtherdifficulty.Burkethankedhim,saidgoodnight,andwent inside.Joe lingereduntilhesawthe lightgoout.ThenhehurriedtoBenTinker'scabin.The young detective foundMr. Hardy, Hank, and Ben awake and gatheredaround a glowing potbelly stove. They listened with keen interest as Joepouredouthisstoryofthenight'sevents.Justashewasfinishing,therecamethesoundofahorsebeingreinedupoutside,andamomentlaterFrankburstintothecabin."Thehelicopter'sstillatthefield,"Frankreported.'Iscoutedaroundabit,butthere'snosignofDodge.Andhehasn'treturnedtothehotel."Mr.Hardy frowned and stroked his jaw. "I find it hard to believe that BobDodgecanbeacriminal-muchlessakiller,"thedetectivesaid."What'syouropinion,boys?""UntiltonightitseemedtometobeatossupbetweenBurkeandDodge,"Joereplied. "We've suspectedoneof themmustbeBigAl's spy, ever since thatnightwetrailedthehoodedmantothegeneralstore."Franknoddedandtallieduptheevidence.Hisfathersaid,"Burkemaybelyingaboutwhathappenedatthecabintonight.AreyousureDodgewasn'tthesecondmantoarrive?""Itwas toodark to tell,"Frankadmitted. "Butyou're right-DodgemayhavesurprisedBurkethereandaccusedhimofworkingwiththegang.AndBurkemayhavedonetheattackingbutgotknockeddown.""Inthatcase,whyshouldDodgeduckoutthewindow?"Hankobjected."Burkewas blocking the door," Joe said. "MaybeDodgedecided to get outfast,incaseBurkecameathimagain."BenTinkerputin,"Thatstilldon'texplainwherehedisappearedto."Mr. Hardy arose from his chair and paced back and forth. "The flashlightmightcarryfingerprints,"heremarked."Wasitstillaround?""Ididn'tseeit,"Joereplied."Dodgemusthavetakenitwithhim.""But we don't know that," Frank emphasized. "Burke could have slipped itinsidehiscoatwhilewewerelookingoutback."Joeagreed."Weshouldhavecheckedonthatrightaway."Franksuddenlysnappedhisfingers."Let'sassumeDodgeisinnocent.Andifhegotthoseburrsonhiscoatupatthecemetery,hemusthavebeenthethird

man-theoneweheardbehindus.""Yes,andhemayhavespottedthebluesignallightandgonetoinvestigatejustaswedid.""Right,"Frankwenton."SomaybeDodgesuspectedallalongthatBurkewasthemanwhometSlim.Buthedidn'twanttojumptoconclusions.Then,whenhediscoveredBurkeatthecabintonight,heaccusedhimoutright-andBurkegotpanickyandjumpedhim."BenTinker grunted suspiciously. "IfDodge suspectedBurke,whyn't he tellyouladsoryourpa?""Matter of fact, Dodge did come around yesterday," Hank reminded them."Butthedocwastendin'toFenton,andtheboysweren'there,sohenevergottotalkto'em.""Maybethat'swhyDodgecametothecabintonight-totellushissuspicions,"Mr.Hardyconjectured."HasBurkeeverbeenintroublewiththelaw?"heasked.HankandBenrepliedthatsofarastheyknew,hehadnot.Frank began pacing the floor. "As things stand, we can make out a prettyconvincingcasefororagainsteitherBurkeorDodge,"hestated."Dodgehasdisappeared but Burke is still around. What we need is some way to testBurke'sinnocence-orguilt."Mr.Hardynodded."Goodthought.""Weknow that thegangwants Joe andmeoutof theway,"Frankwenton."Andwealsoknowthey'reafterMikeOnslow'slostgold.Solet'ssetatrapforBurke.""How?"askedJoe.Frankgrinnedandsaidcoolly, "Byusing thebestpossiblebait-thegoldandourselves!"

CHAPTERXIVTheBrokenKnife

FRANKexplainedhisplanwhiletheotherslistenedapprovingly."Right smart idea, boy!" Ben Tinker cackled appreciatively. "If Burke's inleaguewiththegang,I'lllaytentoonehesnapsatthebait!"Mr.Hardy agreed. "But you boys should have a lawman on handwhen thetrapissprung."

"I'llgoalong,"HankShalevolunteered."AndI'llgetSheriffKenneroveratBearCreek."After details of the planned capture had been settled,Mr.Hardy said, "Youboyshadbetterbunkhereforthenight, ifBenwillpermit.ItmightberiskystayingatHank'splace,incasethegangmakesanotherattemptonourlives."Benwillinglyapproved,andtheboyssaidtheywouldstretchoutonblanketsbythestove."We'llhavetomakeonemoretripbacktoHank's,though,totendthehorses,"Joeadded.The brothers set out, riding double onFrank's horse.By this hour the long,single street of Lucky Lodewas dark and silent.When theHardys reachedHank'scabin,theydismountedandwenttothelean-to.Itwasempty!BothJoe'shorseandDaisy,thepackmare,weregone!"Whocouldhavetakenthem?"Joegasped.Frankwasequallymystified."Maybefootprintswillgiveusaclue,"hesaidhopefully.Theboysshonetheir flashlightsaroundthe trampledsnow.Horseshoeprintsledoffupthehillside.Aman'strackswereheadingtowardthecabinfromthepatchoftimberintowhichDodgehaddisappearedearlier."Hemusthavecomebackafterweleft!"Joeexclaimed."Sure looks that way," Frank agreed. "We can check more carefully bydaylight."TheboysreturnedtoBen'sandstabledFrank'shorseinoneoftheoldghost-townbuildings.Whentheywentinsidethecabin,thethreemenwereasleep.Benwassnoringloudly."Eventhatwon'tkeepmeawaketonight!"Joegrinned,andyawneddeeply.In spite of their exhausting adventures, Frank and Joe awoke at daybreak,thoroughlyrefreshed.Afterpullingontheirclothes,theyhurriedbacktoHankShale'scabin.Althoughthesnowhadwind-drifted,itwasstillpossibletomakeoutDodge'stracks.Theyledawayfromthecabintothewoods,thenreturnedtothelean-to."Hewaspunchy,allright,"Frankremarked."Hisstepszigzagged."Theprintsledtoaclumpofbrush,wherethecrushed,brokentwigsindicatedthefugitivehadfallenfulllength."Dodgecollapsedwhenhegotthisfar!"Joesaidinsurprise.

"Yes,Joe.Andthismayprovehisinnocence.""Howso?""Suppose it was Burke who beaned him with the flashlight, instead of theotherwayaround.Dodgemighthavefoughtback,knockedBurkedown,thenscrammedoutthewindowbeforeBurkecouldcomeathimagain.Dodgemayhavebeendazedfromtheblow-""Iget it!" Joe interruptedexcitedly. "Sohestaggeredouthere in thewoods,maybenotevenknowingwherehewasgoing,andpassedout."Franksaidhewaspuzzled."WhyshouldDodgegoridingoffupthehillside,insteadofbackintotown?AndwhytakeDaisy?"Joeshookhishead. "Maybewehavehimfiguredallwrong.Couldbehe ispartofthegang,andwantedtogetuptotheirhideout."FrankandJoecheckedagainonthehelicopterandfounditstillintheclearing.OntheirwaybackthroughLuckyLode, theHardysstoppedoffat thehotel.The worried manager informed them that he had had no word from thevanishedarmored-car-companyowner."I'venotifiedSheriffKennerandIjustnowfinishedcallingMr.Dodge'sofficeinHelena,"themanageradded.BackatBen'scabin,theboysfoundaheartybreakfastawaitingthem.Astheyate, Frank and Joe reported the theft of the two horses and discussed theirtheorieswiththemen."Anamazingturnofevents,"Mr.Hardysaid.As soon as the meal was over, Hank and the boys went off to hire freshmountsfromtheliverystable.They promised to pay the owner for the lost horse if it was not recovered.HankstartedoffforBearCreektomeetthesheriff.Meanwhile,FrankandJoerodetothegeneralstore."Mornin', boys," Burke greeted them. Aside from his bruised cheek, heseemedtohavesufferednoilleffectsfromthefight.Frankreadoffashortlistofsupplies.Oneitemwasacartonofcannedbeans.WhenBurkebroughtit,Franksaid,"We'dbetterdividethecansbetweenoursaddlebags,Joe.Couldyoulendmeaknifetoopenthecarton,Mr.Burke?""Sure,"Burketookoutahugepocketknifeandtosseditonthecounter.As the storekeeper went off to get the rest of the items, Frank opened theknife.Abouthalfthemainbladewasbrokenoff!TheHardysexchangedquickglancesoftriumph.ThefirstpartofFrank'splan

had paid off. Unless the broken knife was an amazing coincidence, Burkemustbethemanthegangcalled"SlipGun"!Nowtoseeifhewouldtakethebaittheywereabouttooffer!As Frank had hoped, Burke was curious as to why the boys needed thesupplies."Youfellasfixin'totakeatripsomewhere?"heaskedcasuallyashetotaledthebill."Nottoofar,"Frankreplied."We'llbecampinginacanyonupthemountainaways.""Andwe'llbecomingbackrich!"Joeaddedboastfully.Frankshotanangrylookathisbrother,asifJoehadspokenoutofturn."Rich?"Burkelookedattheboysquestioningly."Itwassupposed tobeasecret,"Frankgrumbled,"but-well, Iguesswecantrustyouafterwhathappenedlastnight.""Sure!Iwon'ttellnobody,"Burkepurred."Well,onereasonwecameoutWestwastolookforsomelostgoldthatanoldminernamedMikeOnslowtoldusabout,"Frankbegan."Hedrewusamap,"putinJoe,"butitwasstolenfromus.""Then yesterdaywewere out in a box canyonwhere there's a certain rockformation that looks likeabear,"Frankwenton."We'dheardBigAl'sgangplanned tomeet there.Wedidn't see thegang,butwedidspotaclue to thewhereabouts of the gold.Andwe have the locationmarked right here on amapwedrewourselves."Frank pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and tapped itsignificantly.Burkestaredinamazement."Nofoolin'!Youreallyknowwheretolayhandsonthegold?"Theboysnoddedgloatingly."Butpleasedon'tsayawordtoanyone,"Joecautioned."Wedon'twanttostarta gold rush out to that canyon before we've had a chance to uncover thetreasure.""Don'tworry,boys!Mum'sthewordasfarasI'mconcerned."Burkegaveanoilysmile.Afterstowingthesuppliesintheirsaddlebags,FrankandJoerodeoutoftown.Beyond the ridge they reinedupat a sheltered spotagreeduponbeforehandwithHank.HeretheboyswaiteduntiltheywerejoinedbyHankandSheriffKenner. Then all four set out together, retracing the route the Hardys hadfollowedwhenreturningtotownfromthecanyontheeveningbefore.

Abrief search soon disclosed the opening in the hillside throughwhich theganghademergedfromthecanyon.Theentrancewidenedintoahigh-archedrockypassage,bigenoughforridingtwoabreast.Thepassageendeddirectlybelowthebear-shapedrock.Once inside, Frank, Joe, and their two companions paused to consider theirnextmove.SheriffKenner,arugged-lookingmanwithaniron-graymustache,askedtheboys,"Whattimedoyoufigurethegangwillshow-assumingBurketookthebait?""Hejumpedatit!"Joedeclaredconfidently."Myhunchis,"Franksaid,"they'llwaituntilafterdarkandtrytotakeusbysurprise."ThegroupkeptoutofsightbelowtherockyoverhangandHankcookedlunchoverasmallfire.Meanwhile,thetwoboyssearchedforthebrokenknifeblade.Joesoonfoundit."ThissurelooksasifitfitsBurke'sknife,"hesaid,handingoverthebladetothesheriff.Bythetimedarknessfell,thegrouphadarrangedaconvincing-lookingcampwith two stone-and-brush dummies covered with blankets to resemblesleepers. Then the four retired with their horses behind a cluster of hugeboulders.Time passed slowly. The campfire was renewed. Suddenly, above thesoughingofthewind,thelisteners'earscaughtthefaintclopofhorses'hoofs.Theriderswerecomingthroughtherockypassage.Frank,Joe,andtheirtwocompanionsswungquietlyintotheirsaddles.SheriffKennerwhisperedfinalorders.Moments later, three horsemen entered the canyon. There was sufficientmoonlight for the boys to make out Slim and Jake. The third man, theyguessed,wasBigAl.EvidentlyBurkewasnottakingpartintheraid.The three thugs paused inside the canyon. The dying campfire and the twoblanketed dummies lay in plain view.BigAl hissed out an order. Slim andJake charged forward, their horses breaking into a gallop. The gang leaderfollowedatamoreleisurelypace."Allright,let'stake'em!"SheriffKennersnappedinalowvoice.HeandHankspurred their horses from behind the boulders,while Frank and Joewaited,accordingtoplan."Don'tgoforyourguns!Justreach!"SheriffKenneryelled.Atthesametime,

hefiredashottoshowthathemeantbusiness.Slim and Jake reined up sharply. Their hands shot skyward in panic as thebulletwhistledovertheirheads.FrankandJoespurredtheirhorsesintoactionandspedfrombehind theboulders.At thatsame instantBigAlwheeledhishorse in awild dash for the passageway. The boys andHank followed, butsuddenly Hank's horse stumbled and its rider went flying off. The Hardysstopped,andturnedbacktohelphim."I'll-beallright-boys.Nothin'-broken!Just-gotthe-windknockedouto'me,"hecalledout.Reassured,Joeswunghismountinthedirectionoftheescapingoutlaw."BigAl'sgettingaway!Let'sgoafterhim!"hecalledtohisbrother.Frank needed no urging. Together, they galloped after the ringleader. WithSlim and Jake to dealwith, the sheriffwas powerless to join the chase.Heshouted a warning to the two boys, advising them towait, but his crywasdrownedbythethunderinghoofbeats.The boys were already plunging through the tunnel in hot pursuit of theoutlaw.InthedarknessaheadtheycouldhearthepoundinghoofsofBigAl'smountandseeanoccasionalglintofsparksasitssteelshoesstrucktherocks.Presentlyadimglowofmoonlightshowedthepassagewaycomingtoanend.ForatimeBigAl'sfigurewasclearlysilhouetted.Thenitwaslosttoviewashe emerged from the passage and headed to the right along the foot of thehillside. InmomentsFrankand Joewereoutof thepassagewayand turningtheirownhorsesinthesamedirection."BigAl'sheadingtowardthesamenotchheandhismenaimedforyesterday!"Frankcalled.Formore than an hour the chase continued- over rocks, through dangerousgullies,thenalongariverwindingthroughanarrowcanyon.SuddenlyFrankandJoelostsightoftheirquarryasthecanyoncurvedsharply.Whentheboysroundedthebend,theyreinedupinastonishment.Ahead, thecanyonendedabruptly inahigh frozencataract.Theoutlawhadvanished!

CHAPTERXVUndergroundChase

FRANK and Joe looked at each other in sheer disbelief, mingled withuneasiness. Except for the panting of their horses, not a sound broke the

wintrysilenceofthecanyon."CouldBigAlhaveriggedsomekindofambush?"Joeaskedinalow,worriedvoice."Idon'tseehow,"Frankmurmured,scanningtheterrain."There'snoplaceforhimandhishorsetohide."Thecliffwallsoneithersidewerebareandprecipitous.Withthemoonalmostdirectly overhead, the snow-covered floor of the canyon was revealed withbrilliantclarity.Thenarrowriverbankswerebarrenofbrush.Asidefromafewscatteredrocks-nonebigenoughtoaffordcover-nothingintervenedbetweentheboysandthefrozenwaterfall."Well,hemustbeheresomewhere,"Joesaidedgily."Histrackswillgiveustheanswer."Frankagreed.Theboysdismountedandmovedforwardcautiously,leading-theirhorses.Moonlightwrappedthesceneineerieloneliness.Theboyskepttheireyesandearsalert.Gradually theybecameawareofanother sound-themutedroaroffallingwater,stillflowingbehindtheglacier-likeformation.Thesoundbecamelouderastheynearedthecataract.Themajesticicecurtainglitteredinthemoonlight.It was fringed with great, jagged blue-white spears that hung down likestalactites."Idon'tgetit,"Joemuttered."Al'stracksleadstraighttowardthewaterfall!"Astheyproceeded,Franktookouthisflashlight,andswitchediton.Hegaveacryofsurprise."Joe!Hemusthavegoneunderthewaterfall!"Atthebaseofthecliffwasadarkopenspaceyawningbetweenthecurveofthefallsandtherockface!Itwas largeenoughtoadmitahorseandrider.TheboysmovedcloserforabetterlookandFrankprobedthedarknesswithhisflashlight."Look! There's an opening in the cliff wall!" Joe exclaimed. "It must be atunnel!""Ormaybejustablindcavern,"Franksaid,switchingoffhisflashlight."BigAlcouldbewaitingforusinthere!"After a whispered conference, Frank groped his way behind the cataract.Whenhereachedtheopeninginthecliffhequicklysnappedonhisflashlightagainforamoreleisurelyexamination.PresentlyhecamebackandreportedtoJoe."It'satunnel,allright.Notellinghowfaritgoes-orwhere."

"NosignofBigAl?"Joequestioned."Notinperson,buttherearewettracks."The two horses balked a bit as the boys took their bridles and attempted toleadthemintothedarkspacebehindtheicyfalls.Joe'sanimal,whichwasinthe lead,whinnied and rearedwhen it felt the splattering spray, but it sooncalmedunderJoe'sreassuringhand.Insidethetunnelmouththepassagewidened,givingtheboysroomtomount.Frank and Joe rode slowly forward, with Joe, in the lead, shining hisflashlight.After several hundred yards the passagewidened and the boyswere able toridesidebyside."Musthavebeenthebedofanoldundergroundstream,"Frankguessed."Seehowsmooththewallsareworn."Joenodded."We'dbetterspeedupbeforeBigAlgetstoofarahead."Urging their horses to a faster pace, they pushed on through the tunnel.Atintervals theboysstoppedand listened,hoping tocatchsomesoundof theirquarry.Thefourthtimetheyhalted,afaintechoingsoundofhorse'shoofsonrockreachedtheirearsfromsomewhereahead."Wemustbegettingcloser!"Joesaidtensely.Just how close was difficult to judge, since the enclosed passage with itssmooth,hardwallsmightcarrythesoundalmostanydistance.Theboysrodeon steadily.When they paused to listen once more, the hoofbeats were nolonger audible. But twenty minutes later Joe thought he could detect themagain."Hemaybefaraheadofus,"saidFrank."Soundcanbeprettytrickyinhere."As the brothers continued along the tunnel, the chill, dank atmospheregraduallybecamewarmer.FrankandJoeunzippedtheirheavywindbreakers.Afterawhileitbecamenecessarytorestthehorses.TheHardysdidnotdarepausetoolongforfearoflosingBigAlcompletely,andsoonwenton.The tunnel turned and twisted. The horses were nervous at first aboutproceeding,butgraduallybecameaccustomedtotheexperience."It seems as if we've been traveling for hours," said Frank. Presently hesnappedonhisflashlighttoglanceathiswristwatch.Tohisamazement,itwasalmostthree-thirtyinthemorning!"Whew!Doyourealizethenight'salmostover,Joe?""Isuredo.Thehorsesarebushed."Gradually the boys became aware that the tunnel was sloping upward. The

horses began to pant and labor from the steepness of the incline, and theHardyshadtorestthemmorefrequently."It'sgettingcolder inhere,"Joesaidwithasuddenshiver.Bothboyszippeduptheirjackets."Wemustbegettingclosetothesurface,"Franksaidhopefully.Sometimelaterhewasabouttoturnonhisflashlightagainwhenhepaused."Hey!Thetunnel'snotsodarkasithasbeen-oramIimaginingthings?""You'reright!"Joereplied,withrisingexcitement."I'llkeepmyflashlightoffforawhile."Soon the boys could feel cold air on their faces. The tunnelwas lighteningeverymoment,andpresentlyagrayglimmerofdaylightshowedahead.Withjoyfulcriesofrelief,FrankandJoeurgedtheirhorsesforward.In a minute or so, they had emerged onto a snow-covered mountainside.Rocks,scatteredtrees,andslopesallaroundthemwerebathedintheghostlylight of dawn. The Hardys leaped from their horses, stretched their tiredmuscles, and inhaled the fresh air deeply. Then they looked around andassessedtheirsituation."ThereareBigAl'stracks,"Joesaid,pointingthemout.Franknodded."Fairlyfresh,too-buthecouldbeagooddistanceaheadofus.""Anyideawhereweare,Frank?""Not much, except that we've come clear through the mountain." Frankgrinnedwryly."I'mfamished,Joe.Howaboutyou?""Samehere!Thinkwecantaketimetoeat?""May as well," Frank decided. "No telling how long we'll be on the trail.Luckywedidn'tunpack."The boys fed their horses, built a small fire, and had breakfast. Then theyswung back into the saddles and resumed their pursuit of the outlaw. Histracksledupwardontoabeatentrailwindingalongthemountainside.Whentheyreachedthepath,Frankreinedinhismountandglancedtowardahigh,juttingrockformationfartherupthemountain."Knowsomething,Joe?"heremarked."I'llbetthisisacontinuationofAmbushTrail."Joesnappedhisfingers."You'reright! I rememberseeing that rockyoutcropwayinthedistance,justbeforewefellintotheriver!""If this isAmbushTrail,"Frankwenton, "BigAlmustbeheading for theirhideoutonWindyPeak.""That figures," Joe agreed. "He thinks he's shaken us by going through thetunnel."

Theboyscontinued theirpursuit throughout themorning.Aroundnoontime,BigAl's tracksleft thewell-definedpathanddisappearedupwardamongthehigherrocksandbrush.Joegroanedatthesight."Goodgrief!Howcanwetacklethatkindofgroundwhenourhorsesareexhaustedalready?"Frank looked thoughtful as they slouched in their saddles and studied theterrain."Maybethere'snoneedto,Joe.Ihaveahunchthiscouldbeadodgetothrowusoff.""You could be right," Joe said, brightening. "IfBigAl's heading forWindyPeak,he'llprobablyhavetocomebacktothetraileventually."Aftertalkingthematterover,theHardysdecidedtohaltforlunchandarest.Twohourslater,feelingrefreshed,theyhitthetrailagain.Itwas late in the afternoonwhen the boys sighted the outlaw's tracks oncemore,leadingfromtheslopebackdowntothetrail."Yourhunchpaidoff,Frank!"Joeexclaimed."Thesetrackslookprettyfresh,tool"Encouraged,theboyspressedforwardwithnewenergy.Amilefartheron,thetrail forked. One branch struck sharply upward. The other followed amorewindingcoursealongthecurveofthemountainside.Totheirleftstretchedashallowboxcanyon.Frank and Joe took the lower trail, since the prints showed thatBigAl hadgonethatway.Graduallythepathbecamelittlemorethanarockyledge,withfrequent sharp turns and a sheer drop-off along the outer edge. TheHardysrodesinglefile,withJoeinthelead.Suddenly a pebble clattered down from a rock jutting out just above theirheads.Frankshotaquickglanceupward."Lookout,Joe!"heyelled.A rope with a wide circling noose was snaking down toward his brother'shead!Frank's warning came an instant too late. The noose settled over Joe'sshouldersandjerkedtight,nearlyyankinghimfromthesaddle.Frankspurredforward,whitewithterror.SomeonehiddenontheledgeabovethemwastryingtodropJoeovertheprecipice!Frankmanagedtograbthetautropejustintime.Almostatthesameinstant,theunseenenemyletgoofit.Joewouldhavegoneoverthebrink,butFrank'squickjerkontheropepulledhisbrotherbackfromtheedge,andJoedroppedheavilyontothetrail.Unhurt,hestruggledtohisfeetandbeganextricatinghimselffromthenoose.Inmomentshewasfree."Theregoestherat!"Frankyelledasafigureburstfromtheledgeaboveand

scrambledrapidlyalongtheslope.BigAl!Instantly Joe was back in the saddle. The Hardys spurred forward in hotpursuit.Theoutlaw'scoursewasroughlyparalleltothetrail.SuddenlyBigAlcheckedhisstridelongenoughtosendalargerockrumblingdowntheslope."Holdit,Frank!"Joewarned.Bothboysyankedtheirhorsestoarearing,whinnyinghaltinthenickoftime!A split second later the rock crashed onto the trail just ahead, rolled to theedge,andwentover.The animals snorted with fear and stood trembling. Frank and Joe barelymanaged to spur them intomotion again.BigAlwas lost to viewbehind aclumpofbrushandjaggedoutcropping.Thetrailaheadbentsharplyaroundaprojectingshoulderofthemountainside.JoecaughtaquickglimpseofBigAloutlinedagainsttheskyasheroundedtheslope.Thenhedisappeared.Theboysslowedtheirmountstonegotiatethedangeroushairpincurveoftheledge.Astheycamearoundtotheoppositesideoftheshoulder,JoereinedinandsignaledFranktohalt.AheadstoodBigAl'sriderlesshorse.TheHardysdismountedtoscoutthesituation."Wherehashegone?"Frankaskedtensely."Searchme,"Joereplied,lookingaround.Justpasttheoutlaw'shorsethetrailpeteredoutandtheterrainslopedupwardinajumbleofgiantrocks.Beyondthemahugeboulderstoodpoisedstraightuplikeapinnacle."Hemustbeholedupamongthoserocks,"Franksaid."Probablywaitingforus!"He had hardly finished speaking when Joe clutched his brother's arm andpointed."Look!Thereheis!"BigAlhadsuddenlyappeared,clawinghiswaytotheverytopofthejuttingboulder!"He'strapped!"Frankcriedouttriumphantly."Let'sgethim!"

CHAPTERXVICliffHideaway

"YOU'LLnevertakemealive!"screamedBigAl.Hehadreached the topof thehugeboulderandnowstoodwavinghisarmsagainsttheleadensky.Theoutlawwasjumpingaroundasthoughhalf-crazed."Trytogetme!"hechallenged.AsFrankandJoespedintothejumbleofrocks,theylostsightoftheirquarrymomentarily. They could hear BigAl still yelling, then suddenly therewassilence."Wonderwhathappened?"Joepanted."Did-"Hewas interrupted by a long-drawn-out screamwhich gradually trailed off.Thentherewassilence.Dashingfromtherocks,theboyscamearoundacorner.Beforethemwasthehugeboulder."He'sgone!"Joepanted."Butwhere?"Therewas no place for BigAl to have run except down the rocky trail onwhichtheboyshadbeen."Hemusthavejumpedovertheedge!"Joeyelled.TheHardysrantoit.Theycouldseemostofthecanyonfloorbelowthem.Therewasnosignofabody."Hemusthavegonedown!"Franksaid,puzzled."Butwhereishe?"Theboyslookedcloselyagaininthewaninglight.Therewasnooneinsight."Iwonder-"Joesaidslowly."EvenifBigAldidgoovertheside,hemayhaveknown a safe way to slide to the bottom, and there might be some hidingplace-"Frankagreed."BigAl'sprettytricky.Hecouldhavefiguredoutsomewaytoescape."As the light failed, thebrothersstrained theireyes topeer into thedarkness,butcoulddetectnoniche,crevice,orcaveinwhichtohide."Well,"Frankmurmured at last, "there isn'tmuchwe cando tonight. I surehatetothinkBigAlisroamingaroundhereloose."Joelookedtowardthesky.ItwasdarknowandtheywerealongdistanceupWindyPeak."What'llwedo,Frank?"heasked."The only thing we can do," said his brother, "is spend the night here.TomorrowwemightmanagetofindsometraceofBigAl.Iwanttoknowifhe'sdeadoralive.""Ido,too!"Joeexclaimed."We'll have tomake camp," Frank said, "but firstwe'd better do something

aboutourhorses.""Yes,andBigAl's,too,"Joeadded,pointingtowardtheoutlaw'sfineroanthatwasstillground-hitched.The boys gathered the three animals together, rode back to the fork, andsecuredthehorsestorocks."These old fellows will provide us with a good warning system," Frankremarked."How?"hisbrotherasked.Frankexplainedhisidea."We'llleavethemhereandgopartwaybackalongthe trail tomake camp. IfAl is alivehe'll have to comepast here, since allthreetrailsmeetatthisspot.He'llwanthisroan,anyway.Thehorseswouldbesuretowhinnyandwakenus.""Goodscheme!"saidJoe."We'llcampattheRockMotel!""Everycomfortandallforfree,"Frankjoked.Theboysate,fedthehorses,thencartedtheirbedrollsandmeagersuppliestoashelteredspotandquicklyspreadouttheblankets.Thoughthebrothersweretired,sleepwasslowincoming."Ican'thelpwonderingifBigAlistrickingusagain,"Franksaiduneasilyashewasfinallydriftingoff.HedreamedseveraltimesabouttheoutlawandtriedtofigureoutwhyheandJoehadnotseenBigAl'sbodyinthegorge.Bothboyssleptfitfullythroughthenight.Astheblacknessoftheskybegantolightenwiththecomingofdawn,theygotup and ate a coldbut nourishingbreakfast of oranges, oatmeal cookies, andeggflakes.Refreshed,theboyswalkedtowardtheedgeofthecliffoverwhichBigAlhaddisappeared."Wemaybeabletoseesomethingmoreinthedaylight,"Joeremarked.Frankhadbeenstaringintothegray,loweringsky."Idoubtifthere'sanythingtosee,"heobserved."Whatdoyoumean?"Frank scanned the sky once more. "I think we've been fooled again," heanswered."Iftherehadbeenabodydowninthegorge,there'dbecarrionbirdsflyingaround.""Ofcourse,"saidJoe."Iwonderedaboutitlastnight,butthoughtmaybebecauseitwassolatetherewouldn'tbeanybirdsatwork.Butsomewouldbeherethismorning,ifthere

wasanythingtoattractthem.""Let'slookovertheedgeagain,"Joesuggested.Thebrothersdroppedtotheirstomachsandcreptascloseastheycouldtotherim.Byleaningwelloverit,theycouldlookalmosttothebaseofthecliff."Seeanything,Joe?""Notathing."Suddenly, from far below, came the rattle of small pebbles. A great blackravenflewoutoftheprecipice."Theremustbeanestinthecliff!"Joecriedout.The boys edged forward over the rough stones. They held on as tightly aspossiblebeforeleaningovertolocatethenest."Thereitis!"exclaimedFrank.Belowtheminarecessthatnaturehadtorninthecliffsidewasthebird'snestandalongsideitenoughroomtogiveamanshelter."ThatwasBigAl'shidingplace!"Franksaidgrimly."Heswungdowntheretotheleftandprobablygotawayduringthenight."FrankandJoecrawledbackfromthecliff'sedgeuntiltheycouldstandupinsafety."Hefooledusallright,"saidFrank."Iwonderhowlongitwasbeforehelefthere.""Maybe," Joe suggested, "it depended on the horses. I'll bet hewaited untiljustbeforedawnandthenstolethem!"Frankwasangry."Ofcourse.Hishorsewouldknowhim,andsincethethreeanimals have been together and gotten to be friends, none of them wouldwhinnyanalarm.Ishouldhaverealizedthat."The boys dashed for the fork. Their guess had been right! The horsesweregone!Andtakenupthesteeperbranch!"Aldidtrickus!"Frankchidedhimself."Nowhe's really got us in a spot,"murmured his brother. "Dowe head forhomeortrailhim?""Trailhim,"Frankdecidedpromptly."We'llhavetowalk,ofcourse.""Canwemakeitupthere?"Joesoundedworried."Idon'tknow,butwe'llhavetotry."Thebrothershuddledintheshelterofarocktodiscussthesituation.Whatlayahead? They realized it might be a long and treacherous climb -perhaps

anothernightwithouthotfoodandpropershelter.Theynoticeditwasgrowingcolderandthatwasabadsigntoo.ItwasnotonlygoingtobeuncomfortablefortheHardyboys,buttheycouldeasilyfreezetodeath!"Comeon,Joe!"Franksaidresolutelyashestartedupthesteeptrail."We'renotgoingtoletBigAlgetaway!"Joe joined his brother and together they started the climb along this part ofAmbushTrail.Theturnswereabruptandthewindwhistledsharply.OnceJoehadtosnatchFrankbackwhenthewindnearlyblewhimovertheedge.For hours the boys toiled along the trail, following the string of horseshoeprints.Duringtheafternoon,themarksmadeanabruptturnthatopenedontoaplateau.Itwasalmostcompletelysurroundedbyjaggedoutcroppingsofrocks.The boys ducked down out of the strong wind which had swept the areaalmostcleanofsnow.Suddenlytheireyesbulgedastheyspottedasmallcabinthatlaynestledinthecenterofthelittleplateau!Fromitschimneycameathinwispofsmoke."Somebody'shere!"saidJoeexcitedly,andinstinctivelybegantorun."Wait!"Frankwarned."ItmightbeBigAl.We'dbetterapproachcautiously.Say,Joe-look!"Onaridgebeyondthecabinwasasingleweather-beatenpinetree."Thelonepine!"Joeexclaimed."Yes,"saidFrank,"and if it is, thatbuildingmightbeMikeOnslow'scabin-nowoccupiedbyBigAll"

CHAPTERXVIITheSecretListener

AsTHEboyspauseduncertainly,pondering theirnextmove, thecabindooropened.Atall,white-hairedmanstrodeoutandwavedtothem."Hithere!"hecalled."Lookingforshelter?"Theboysgaspedastheyrecognizedhim."It'sMr.Dodge!"Joeexclaimed."Canwetrusthim?"Frankmuttered."Ifheisincahootswiththegang,BigAlmaybeinthere,waitingtojumpus."Joeshothisbrotheraquickglance."Ifwerunforit,theymaycomeafterus

shooting!""Guess we'll have to play this by ear," Frank said in a low voice. "Betterpretendwedon'tsuspectanything-butbereadytoactfastifwespotatrap."TheHardyswalkedtowardthecabin."Whatareyoudoinguphere,Mr.Dodge?"Joeaskedwhentheydrewcloser.A bewildered look came over the man's face. "Dodge?" he repeated. "MynameisDawson-BartDawson.IworkedaclaimupherewithMikeOnslowandtheCoulsonbrothers."Theboysstoppedshortinastonishment."That's right," Dodge went on. His manner seemed strange. "I- I'd betterexplain,"headded."ComeoninsideandI'll tellyouthewholestory.Maybeyouboyscanhelpme."FrankandJoelookedateachother.BothhadahunchastowhatDodgewasabouttotellthem."Okay,let'sgo,"FrankmurmuredtoJoe.ThebrothersenteredandDodgeclosed thedoor.Thecabinhada "lived-in"appearance.Therewerecansoffoodandothersuppliesontheshelves,andapileoffirewoodbesidethepotbellystove."Sitdown,boys."FrankandJoefoundchairs,butDodgeremainedstanding.Hesighedandranhisfingersthroughhisthickshockofwhitehair,asifhescarcelyknewhowtobegin.Hehadalivid,swollenbruiseonhisrighttemple."Canyouladsimaginewhatit'sliketowakeupsuddenlyandnotknowwhereyouareorhowyougotthere?"thebigmansaidatlast."Tohaveacompleteblankinyourmemory?""Ablanktwenty-fiveyearslong?"Joeputin.Dodgelookedstartled."Idon'tknowhowyouguessedit,son,butyoumustbejustaboutright.Last timeI recall, Iwasayoungmanwith redhairandabeard.Also Iwasveryskinny.ButnowwhenIseemyself"-hegesturedtowardasmallcrackedmirror-"myhair'swhite,I'myearsolder,andI'mmuchheavier.""Doyourecognizeus?"Frankqueried.Theman shook his head. "No-and I've beenwonderingwhy you calledmeDodge.""Becauseyou'vebeengoingunderthenameofBobDodge,"Frankreplied."Sameinitials-B.D.-butadifferentidentity,"Joeadded.

After introducinghimself andhisbrother,Frankwenton, "You spokeaboutwakingupsuddenly.Where?""Insomewoodsnearacabin,"themananswered."FeltasifI'dhitmyhead-orbeenhit -and therewasabig swellingonmy temple.Doyou fellowsknowwhathappened?""Youwereconkedwithaflashlight,"Joetoldhim.Frankleanedforwardandasked,"Can'tyourememberanythingaboutafightinsideacabin?"BartDawsonfrownedindeepthought.Finallyheshookhishead."No.ItriedtofigurehowI'dgottothewoods,butnothingcamebacktome.""Whatdidyoudonext?"Franksaid."Well,Istaggeredoutofthewoods.Itwasdark,butIwasclosetosomeone'scabin.Iknockedonthedoor,but-noanswer.""Isthatanyreasontostealtwohorses?"Joeaskedaccusingly.Dawson flushed. "You seem to know all my actions. I guess it was prettyhighhanded,helpingmyselflikethat.Butbelieveme,Iintendedtobringthemback.""Justwhydidyoutakethem?"Frankasked."Ifyouwereconfused,youcouldhavegoneintotownforhelp.""I guess so," Dawson admitted. "But the main street was dark and no oneseemed to be stirring. Besides, I-well, I'd have felt pretty foolish wakingpeopleupandconfessingIwasmixedup."AllIknew,"themanwenton,"wasthatmynamewasBartDawsonandIhadtofindmypartnersfast.It seemed terriblyurgent forme togetbackuphere toour cabinonWindyPeak.Therewere twohorses in thestable,soIhelpedmyself to 'emandhitthe trail. I took thepackhorse,"headded,"because itwascarryingblanketsandafewsupplieswhichIfiguredImightneedincaseIgotlostandhadtocampintheopen.""Whendidyouarrivehere?"Frankasked."Yesterdayafternoon.Theplacewasempty,buttherewassomefood."FrankandJoeconcludedthiswasthegang'shideout."When I sawmyself in themirror,"Dawsonwenton, "I realizedhowmanyyearsmusthavegoneby."Hisvoicebroke.Heslumpeddownonabunkandputhisheadinhishands."Ifyouboyscanfillmeinatall,"

hesaid,"I'dsureappreciateit."FrankandJoeexplainedtoDawsonthatunderthenameDodge,hehadbeenoperatingasuccessfularmored-carbusinessinHelenafortenyears.Wherehehadbeenbeforethat, theydidnotknow.Theboysalsotoldhimhowhehadengagedtheirfather,FentonHardy,torundownagangofrobbersandhowhissonshadbeenbroughtintothecase.FrankendedbytellingDawsonabouthisfightwithBurke atHankShale's cabin, andhowa trap hadbeenbaited forBurkelater,whichresultedinthecaptureofSlimandJake.The white-haired man on the bunk shook his head hopelessly. "Thanks fortellingmethis,boys.ButIstillcan'trememberathingaboutmylifeasBobDodge.""What'sthelastthingyoudoremember?"Joepressedhim.SlowlyDawsonbegantorelatehowheandhispartnershadbeenbesiegedinthisverycabinbyBlackPepper'sgang."WeheardaboutthatfromMikeOnslow,"Frankputin."He'satrappernow,backEast.ThetwoCoulsonbrothersaredead."Dawson swallowed hard. "I'm sorry to hear that." After a moment hecontinued, "Anyhow, I remember taking off in the plane and heading north.Butafterthreeorfourminutestheenginefailed-andtheshipcrashed.""Youcouldn'thavegonefarinthreeorfourminutes,"Joesaidthoughtfully."No,that'sright,"Dawsonagreed,frowning."IthinkIcamedowninthebigvalleybeyondLoneTreeRidge.""Thenwhat?"Frankasked.Dawsongotupfromthebunkandpacedbackandforth."Theplanehithardand cartwheeled over into a sort of little gully somewhere along the valleyfloor. Imusthaveblackedout for awhile.When I came to, Ihada terriblepaininmyhead.""Youwalkedawayfromthewreck?"askedJoe."Yes.IwasworriedaboutBlackPeppergettingthegoldandthefactthatMikeOnslow and the Coulson boys had entrusted it to me. Don't know how Imanaged, weak as I was, but somehow I got the sacks of gold out of theplane.""Whatdidyouintendtodo?"Frankinquired.Dawsonrubbedhisheadpainfully."I'vebeenconcentratingonthateversinceI arrived at the cabin," he replied. "I recall knowing I couldn't lug the goldveryfar,andthatIwantedtohideitinasafeplace.Some landmark in the valleymust have remindedme of an old abandoned

minecalledtheLoneTreediggings.""Isthatwhereyoutookthegold?"Joeasked."It must have been," Dawson said. "Anyhow, I remember finding a tunnelopening-andat theendof the tunnelabigexcavationwithbluishdirtwalls.That'swhereIhidthegold.""Canyourememberanythingmore?"Frankurged."Notmuch/GuessItriedtoreachhelp.ButitwasbittercoldandsnowingandImusthavelostmyway.SeemsasifIwanderedforalongtime-ploddingalongblindly,falling,gettingup,andstaggeringon.Afterthat,everything'sablank.""Thecrashandtheterriblehardshipsyouwentthroughmusthavebroughtonamnesia,"Joesaid."And theblowBurkegaveyou thatnight triggeredyourmind into recallingthepast,"Frankadded."Incidentally," Joeput in, "we'repretty sure thatBlackPepper and thegangleaderBigAlarethesameman."Dawsonfrownedagain."YousaidIwasrunningabusinessupinHelena,"hemurmured."Inthatcase,whywasIhangingaroundLuckyLode?Yourfatherwashandlingthedetectivework.""We wondered about that ourselves," Frank admitted. "In fact, it made ussuspectthatyoumightbeinwiththegang.Butmaybeyouweretryingtodigupyourpast.IhaveahunchthisterritoryaroundLuckyLodecouldhaverungabellinyourmind."Suddenly all three were startled by the whinny of a horse. Frank and Joeleapedfromtheirchairsanddashedoutside,followedbyDawson.Amanonhorsebackhadjustemergedfromaclumpofrocksandbrush.Hewasheadedtowardtheridge."That'sBigAl!"Joecried.AthoughtflashedintoFrank'smind.Aroundthewindwardsidesofthecabinlayanareaofdriftsnow.Frankrantowardit.Ashehadfeared,freshtrackswerevisibleleadingtowardandawayfromthelean-toshedattheback."Hewashere!"Frankcalledangrily.Astheothers joinedhim,hepointedtotheprintsinthesnow."I'llbetBigAlwashidingintheshed!Hemusthaveheardeverything!"TheHardysandDawsonhurriedinto theshed.Joe'ssaddlehorseandDaisy,

the pack mare-the animals Dawson had taken from Hank's cabin- werepeacefullymunching hay at the feedbox. Dawsonwasmystified, but FrankandJoequicklyreconstructedwhatmusthavehappened."The gang's been using this cabin as their hideout," Joe said. "BigAlmusthavereachedherejustbeforewedid.Whenhesawthesmoke,BigAlfiguredhe'dbetterscoutthesituation.""Right," Frank agreed. "He circled around the cabin toward that clump ofbrush,leftthehorsesthere,andsneakedupfromtherear.""I'llbethewas in the lean-towhenwearrived," Joeadded. "Thatmeansheheardeverythingthroughthewall-includingwhatMr.Dodge-Dawson-toldusabouttheplacewherehehidthegold!""AndnowBigAl'sonhiswaytofindit!"Frankexclaimed.TheHardysrantowardtheclumpofrocksandbrush.Amongthem,welloutofsightofthecabin,werethetwohorsesBigAlhadstolenfromtheboys.Theoutlawhadabandonedtheextraanimalswhenhegallopedoff."We'llgoafterhim!"Frankdecided.Theboysrodethehorsesbacktothecabin.Dawsonwaseagertoaccompanytheminpursuitof thegangleader,but theHardysthought itmoreimportantthat he return to Lucky Lode immediately and tell their father the turn ofevents."Dad andHank and the sheriffwill beworried sick about us by this time,"Franksaid."Besides,Mr.Dawson,thatknockontheheadmaycausesomeaftereffects-youshouldseeadoctor."After some persuasion, Dawson agreed, although the leaden sky forebodedbadweather.FrankandJoequicklycollectedsomesuppliesfromamongtheprovisionsinthecabin.Indoingso,theydiscoveredapowerfulflashlightwithabluelens-evidentlythesignallightbeamedfromthecemetery-andacompletelistofthegangmembers,withjottednotesonhowtocontactthem,includingHopkins'groupinChicago."This shouldgive thepoliceall theyneed to smash thegang forgood!" Joeexclaimed,handingthepaperstoDawson.Snowwasfallingastheboysmountedtheirhorses.DawsonwasreadytohitthetrailforLuckyLodewiththeotherhorses.AfterafinalfarewellFrankandJoegallopedoff.ThesnowwasgraduallyobliteratingBigAl's tracks.BythetimetheHardyshadtoppedtheridgeandwereridingdownintothevalleybelow,theoutlaw's

trailhaddisappeared."Atoughbreak,"Frankmurmured,"butatleastweknowthegeneraldirectionhe'staking."Anhourlatertheyreachedlevelground.Theskywasdarkeningnowunderaheavy overcast and wind was roaring down the valley at gale force. Thebrothershunchedlowinthesaddleasdrivinggustsofsnowstungthen*faces.Frank took the leadwhile the boys threaded theirway among boulders andbrush that studded thevalley floor.Here and theredriftswere accumulatingandthehorses'legssankdeepintothesnowateverystep.SoonthesnowwasswirlingsothicklythatFrankcouldseeonlyafewyardsahead.Hadtheymadeamistake,hewondered,inpressingaheadthroughthestorm?"Looksasthoughwe'reinforarealblizzard,Joe!"heyelled."We'dbetterfindshelter!"Hearingnoanswer,Frank swungaround in the saddle-thengasped. Joewasnowhereinsight!"Joe!"Frankscreamedagainstthewind."Joe!Whereareyou?"Therewasnoreply.

CHAPTERXVIIINorthfromLoneTree

FOR a moment Frank was panic-stricken. He shouted Joe's name, but thehowlingwinddrownedhisvoice.Snugging his chin inside his turned-up coat collar, Frank slouched in hissaddleandwaited.Minutesdraggedby.Againandagainhecalledhisbrother'sname,butnoansweringcryreachedhisears.Darknesswasclosinginrapidlynow,andFrankwashalfnumbedfromtheicyblastofthestorm.Hisheartsankwitheverypassingmoment."It'shopeless,"Frankdecidedat last. "If I sitheremuch longer, I'll freeze. Imust get out of the driving wind and snow." Frank urged his horse in thegeneraldirectionofthemountainside.Presentlythroughtheswirlingsnow,ashapeless,rockymassloomedinfrontofhim.Frankguidedhishorse along thebaseof the rock, andafter severalminutesofplodding,foundaspotthatwaspartiallyshelteredbyoverhang.Hedismountedanddrewhishorseinoutoftheblizzard.

Frankclickedonhisflashlightandshoneitaboutthearea.Fringingtherockfacewerebrownish clumpsof brush-dry andbrittle beneath their coatingofsnow."Thesewilldoforafire,"Frankthought."AnditmightsignalJoe!"He broke off enough of the brush to make a small pile and took out hiswaterproofcaseofmatches.Hestruckone,thenasecond.Bothblewout,butthethirdonecaught.Cuppingtheflameinhishand,Frankhelditagainstoneofthebrokentwigs.Inamomentthedrywoodbegantosmolder.Bitbybit,Franknursedtheemberintoafireandsoonhadaroaringblazegoing."Itwon'tlastlong,though,"hereflectedashewarmedhisfaceandhands.Bynowthecircleoffirelightwasstrongenoughtorevealafallentreeseveralyards away. Frank managed to break off some branches and brought thembacktoaugmenthissupplyoffirewood."IfonlyJoewerehere!"hethought.Shivering, Frankwalked out into the darkness. "Joe!" he shouted, his voicestraining.Thenagain,"Joe!..."Franklistenedintently.Suddenlyhisheartleaped.Hehadheardacry!Frankbeganyellingfrantically.Severalmomentslaterahorseandridertookshapeoutofthesnowydarkness.FrankrushedtomeetthemandguidedJoe'sfrost-rimedmountbacktowardthewelcomeglowofthefirelight.Joehimselfwaswhitefromheadtofoot.Heclimbedwearilyoutofthesaddle,shookhimselfoff,andhunkeredclose to theflameswhileFrankattended tohishorse."Whew!"Joegavealongsighofreliefasthewarmthoftheblazerestoredhisnumbedcirculation."Goodthingyoubuiltthisfire,Frank.Iwasaboutreadytogiveup.""I was hoping you might spot the light," Frank said. "How did we getseparated?""Mycarelessness,"Joeconfessed."IwaslookingaroundforsignsofBigAland sort of trustingmy horse to follow yours. First thing I knew, youwerenowhereinsight."Theboysblanketedandfedtheirhorses,thenopenedacanofbeansandhadawarmsupper."WonderifBigAl'slostinthestorm,too?"Joemuseddrowsily."Probably,"Frankreplied."Ifhe'ssmart,he'llfindsomekindofshelter.""HemayalreadyhavefoundtheminetunnelwhereDawson'sgoldishidden,"

Joepointedout."Let'shopenot!"There was a long silence as the two brothers crouched close to the fire,listeningtotheroarofthestorm.Graduallytheirheadsdrooped.Itwasanuneasy,uncomfortablenight.Frankand Joemanaged to sleep, off and on, but as the fire died downone or theotherwouldgetupandforageformorewood.Withthefirstclearlightofdawn,thebrotherswereawakeandpreparingtohitthetrail.Thesnowhadstoppedsometimeduringtheearlymorning.Nowthewholevalleylaycoveredinaghostlyblanketofwhite."What'sournextmove?"Joeaskedastheboysatebreakfast"Ithinkourbestbetistolookforthelostplane,"Franksuggested."Theminetunnelcan'tbetoofarfromthere."Joe shook his head pessimistically. "Don't forget, Big Al's gang has beenlookingforitforalongtimewithnoluck.""Buttheyhadnothingtogoon,"Frankargued."OfcourseDawson'splanefellintoagully-soitmightnotbetooeasytospot.""That's true," Joe said thoughtfully. "Let's see if we can get some idea ofwhereitcamedown.AccordingtoDawson,heheadednorthandwasintheaironlythreeorfourminutes!"TheHardysmadearoughcalculation,basedontheprobablespeedofasingle-engineplaneofoldvintage.Then,usingtheircompassandtakingabearingonthe lone sentinel pine atop the ridge, they started off toward the areawheretheyestimatedthecrashmighthaveoccurred.Thehorsescouldmoveonlyataslowplod.Theirforelegssankknee-deepintothesnowateverystep.FrankandJoe-theirbreaths steaming in the subzero atmosphere-were forced to control theirimpatience.The search continued for several hours. By late morning, both boys werediscouraged.Joe,whowasinthelead,reinedinhishorse."Seems pretty hopeless, if you ask me," he said, swinging around in hissaddle."Maybeweshould-"Joe broke off with a gasp. As he turned, his eyes had suddenly detectedsomethingprotudingfromthesnowinthedistance."Frank!"Joepointedoffthroughtheclear,coldair.Frank'seyeswidenedashetoosawtheobject."You'reright!Let'sgocheck!"

Turningtheirhorses,theboysrodetowardthespot.Evenbeforetheyreachedit, they couldmake out the skeletal wing tip of a plane sticking up from asnow-chokedgully."That's thewreck,allright!"Frankexclaimedjubilantly."NowonderBigAlandhisgangneversawit!Thosetreesalongtheedgeofthegullywouldscreenitfromtheridge!"Theboyshaltedtodiscussthenextstepintheirsearch."Themine tunnelmustbesomewhere in themountainside,"Frankreasoned."Anditmustbeonthissideofthevalley.Theotherside'smilesaway-Dawsoncouldn'thavecarriedthegoldthatfar.""Whichstillgivesusalotofgroundtocover,"Joesaid.Thetwoboysrodetowardtheedgeof thevalleywhere thegroundbegantoslopesteeplyupward."Dawson probablywasn't in shape to climb very far after the crash," Franksaid."Solet'sconcentratealongthelowerslopes."Theboysdecidedtoturnleftandskirtthemountainsideforatleasttwomiles.Iftheireffortsprovedfruitless,theywouldthenretracetheirstepsandtrytheotherdirection.Deepdriftsandtangledunderbrushmadethegoingdifficult.SeveraltimestheHardysweredisappointed.Whatlookedlikeaholeinthemountainsideprovedtobeonlytheshadowoftreesorsomerockyoutcropping.ButsuddenlyFrankgaveacryofexcitementandpointed."There'sanopeningforsure,Joe."Thedarkrecesswasonlypartlyscreenedbyaclumpofunderbrush.Thetwoboys dismounted, ground-hitched their horses, and scrambled up the slope.Theypulledasidethesnow-ladenbrushandFrankshonehisflashlightintothehole.Astheyellowbeamstabbedthroughthedarkness,Joemurmured,"Thislooksmorelikeanordinarycavethanaminetunnel.""Butthereisatunnelbackthere,"Frankreplied.Intherearwallofthecavern,aboutfiftyfeetormorefromtheentrance,theycouldmakeoutanotherholewhichevidentlyleddeepintothemountainside."Okay,let'stakealook,"Joeurged.The boys entered the cave cautiously andwalked toward the inner passage.Frankstoppedasheheardafaintrustlingnoisetotheirleft.

"Holdit,Joe."Hisbrother turnedquickly.Apairofglowingeyesglinted at them from thedarkness.Frank'sflashlightrevealedanenormousgraywolf!Standingstiffly,theanimalglaredattheintruders,baringitsteethinalowgrowl.Othernoisesreachedtheboys'ears.Frankswunghisflashlightaroundandadozenpairsofwolves'eyesshoneintheglowlikeburningcoals."Goodgrief!"Frank'svoicewasahoarsewhisper."We'vewalkedstraightintoadenofwolves!"

CHAPTERXIXWolfPrey

FORamomenttheHardyswereparalyzedwithfright.Joeswallowedhardandwhispered,"Canwemakeabreakforfreedom?""Wecantry."At the first step,however, thehuge timberwolfnearest themgavea savagesnarl.Thefuronitsbackbristledstiffly.Frankmuttered,"Onefalsemoveandthatlobowillgoforus.Thispackactshungry."Therewas a patter of feet in the darkness. The glowing eyes from the dimrecessescircledcloser.Thewolvesweregatheringaroundtheboys,cuttingoffescapethroughthecaveentrance!Frankcouldfeeldropsofcoldperspirationtricklingdownhisskin."Snaponyourflashlight,too,Joe.Thatmayhelpholdthemback."Joeplayedthebeamslowlybackandforth,whileFrankusedhis.The wolves slunk restlessly to and fro. Their lolling tongues gave them awickedly grinning appearance, but they were wary of the lights. Now andthen, as a gaunt gray form was caught in the full radiance of a beam, theanimalwouldleapbackintotheshadows.Itwasclear that theflashlightscouldnothold thebeastsatbayfor long.Asthewolvespacedbackandforth,thecirclewasbeingdrawngraduallytighter."Watchit!"Joeexclaimedsuddenly.TheleaderofthepackwasadvancingstraighttowardFrank,whostabbedhis

lightfullintothewolf'sgreenisheyes.Thebruteshrankback,itsearslaidflattoitshead.Aviciousgrowlissuedfromitsthroat.Instinctively theHardysmoved a step backward.The pack seemed to sensethe boys' fear and pressed its advantage, forcing the Hardys to retreat stillfarther."Intothetunnel!"Franktoldhisbrother."Itmaybeablindalley,"Joewarned."We'llhavetoriskit-there'snootherwayout."Inchbyinch,theboysbackedtowardthetunnelopening."It's not wide enough for both of us," Joe said tensely, flashing his lightquicklybehindthem."Thenyougofirst,"Frankordered.Theywereonlyafewyardsfromthetunnelnow.Joebeganworkinghiswayintopositionbehindhisbrother.Thewolvesedgedcloserstill,growingbolder,asiftheysensedthattheirvictimsweretryingtoescape.Suddenlytheleadergaveavicioussnarlandshortenedhisdistancefromtheboyswithaquick leap forward.AgainFrank focusedhis flashlight squarelyintothehugebeast'seyes-butthistimethewolfrefusedtoshrinkback.Frank'shearthammeredashesawthebaredfangsandslaveringjaws.Anyinstantitwouldleapinforthekill!"Quick!Arock!"Frankgasped.Joe looked around desperately and snatched up a heavy, jagged stone. Hehurleditwithallhismightatthewolf.Therockhitthebeastsquarelyintheheadandthewolfcollapsed,withbloodoozingfromthewound.A chorus of low growls rose from the pack. Thewolves seemed cowed bytheirleader'sdownfall,buttheirnostrilshadcaughtthescentofblood."Runforit!"Frankyelled.Joeturnedandplungedintothenarrowpassageway.Frankfollowedbutmoreslowly,keepinghis light aimedback at thewolves.Thepackwasgatheringarounditsdownedleader,sniffingandgrowlingatthecarcass.Suddenly Frank heard a cry from Joe. It faded abruptly somewhere in thedistance."Joe!Areyouallright?"Frankglancedaroundhastilybutsawonlydarkness.Aloudsnarldrewhisattentionbacktowardthemaincave.Glowingeyeswerepeering into the passage as if the wolves were nerving themselves for arenewedattack.Frankbackedawayfast,hopingtokeepthemdazzledwiththeflashlightbeam.

Suddenlythegroundseemedtoend.Hisfootencounteredonlyemptyspace!The next instant Frank was plunging downward through a narrow hole.Instinctively he doubled up and a moment later landed hard amid dirt andrubble.Frankwasbreathlessfromthejoltingshock.Luckilyhewasstillclutchingtheflashlight.Herolledquicklytohisfeetandplayedthebeamaround.Asurgeofreliefsweptoverhim.Joewaslyingonthegroundonlyafewfeetaway.He,too,hadfallenthroughthe hole, but apparently had retained enough presence ofmind to roll clearbeforeFrankfellonhim."Whew!"Joewasstrugglingforbreath."Had thewindknockedoutofme!"AsFrankhelpedhimtohisfeet,heasked,"Whataboutthosewolves?""Guesstheywon'tbotherusdownhere,"Frankreplied.Heshonehisflashlightupthehole,whichseemedtobeanaturalchimneyintherock,buthecouldseenothing.Meanwhile,Joewasexaminingtheareaintowhichtheyhadfallen.This tooappeared to be a passageway, but larger than the one they had ducked intowhileescapingfromthewolves."Frank-look!"Joeexclaimed."What'sthematter?""Timbering!" Joe's beam picked out a fewmoldy uprights and crossbeams,still in position at intervals along the passage despite years of disuse. "Thisplaceisaminetunnel!""You're right!" Frank's voice quivered with excitement. "This must be thetunneloftheLoneTreediggingsthatDawsontoldusabout!""Feels like cold air coming from over there," Joe said, glancing toward hisright.Acurveofthetunnelpreventedthemfromseeingmorethantenyardsinthatdirection,butJoereasoned,"Theentrancemustbeatthatend."Frankagreedandadded,"Sothechamberwiththebluishdirtwallswouldbetheotherway.Comeon.Let'sfindout!"Shiningtheirflashlightsahead, theHardysploddedon.Thetunnelwaswideenoughfor themtoproceedsidebyside,butat times theyhad toduck theirheadstoavoidbumpingthemonacrossbeamoralow-hangingclumpofrock.Presently the boys' excitement grew as they noticed blue-gray streaksappearingintheearthofthetunnelwalls."Thereitis!"Frankcriedsuddenly.Farahead,dimlyrevealedbytheglowoftheirflashlights, thetunnelopened

outintoawidercavern.Theboyssprintedforwardeagerly.Astheyburstintotheundergroundchamber,Joegavealowshoutoftriumph.Thewallsofthecavernwereveinedwithbluishclay!"Thisistheplace,allright!"Joeexclaimed.TheHardysexcitedlyshonetheirflashlightsaroundthechamber.Severalrustypicks and shovels lay scattered about, abandoned by the miners who hadworked there many, many years before. The floor of the cavern was hard-packed,butinafewmomentsFrankandJoediscoveredaheapofearthwhichlookedasthoughatsometimeithadbeendugup,thenreplaced."Grab a shovel, Joe!" Frank said. "Ill bet this is where Dawson buried thegold!Let'sseeifit'sstillhere!"Both boys set to work. Though the spot was not rocky, the digging wasdifficult.Frankexchangedhisshovelforapickandbeganlooseningtheearth.ThenheswitchedtoashovelagainandhelpedJoescoopoutthedislodgeddirtandgravel.AfterseveralminutestheHardyswerestreamingwithperspirationfromtheexhaustingjob."Boy!Nowonderminersusedynamite!"Joetookoffhisheavyjacket.Frank,too, removedhis and theboys returned to thedigging.Their flashlightshadbeenproppednearbytoilluminatethespot.Suddenly a yellowish-brown patch showed beneath the dirt. The boysfranticallyscrapedandshoveledawaytheearthinafrenzyofanticipation.Amomentlatertheycouldmakeoutfourbulgingleatherpokesburiedinthehole.AsFrankbeamedhisflashlightintoit,Joetippedupabag.Suddenlyonesideoftherottingleatherburstopenandgleamingyellowcoinspouredfromit!Theotherbagsheldnuggets."Dawson'sandOnslow'sgold!"Frankcriedout.Theboysdroppedtotheirknees,tensewithexcitement."Wow! Imagine how Mike Onslow will feel when he gets the news!" Joeexclaimed."Heneverwill!"saidaharshvoicedirectlybehindtheHardys.Frankswungtheflashlightaround.Nottenfeetawaystoodagloweringman."BigAl!"Joegasped."That's right."The gang leader gave an ugly laugh. "Thanks for finding thegold,kids.Toobadyou'llneverlivetoenjoyit!"

CHAPTERXX

WindyPeakPrisoner

"WHATdoyouintendtodo?"Frankdemanded."What do you think?"BigAl rasped. "I'm going to get rid of you brats forkeeps.""You'vetriedbefore,"Joesaiddefiantly."Isurehave."BigAl'sfacewashard."Sinceyourpa'sabigdetective,Itriedtofixyousoitwouldlooklikeanaccident.ThenImadeoutlikeI'dgoneoverthecliffandgotkilled.Butyoupunkswerestillcampingtherenextmorning-soIswipedyourhorses,figuringyou'dwindupstarvedorfrozen,andnothingcouldbepinnedonme.Thatdidn'tworkeither."Frankregardedtheoutlawcoolly."So?""Sonow,I'vegot thegoldand that'sall thatmatters.Youkids'llnever leaveherealive."Theoutlaw'shandwenttotheholsterhewaswearing."Clickoffyourlight,Joe!"Franksaidinawhisper,snappingoffhisown.AsBigAl snakedouthisgun, thecavernwasplunged intodarkness.FrankandJoedivedclearofhislineoffireandclawedfortheirshovels.Theoutlaw'sgunthunderedasbothboyshurledtheirshovelstowardthespurtofflame.Therewasathudandacryofpain.Atleastoneoftheshovelshadfounditstarget!TheboysclosedinonBigAl.Frankfoundtheoutlaw'sgunarmandlevereditbackwardwithbothhands.Joewasbusyontheotherside.Big Al fought like a madman, but Frank and Joe hung on. The outlawscreechedinpainasFrankappliedbone-crackingpressuretohiswrist,andamomentlaterthegundroppedfromBigAl'snumbedfingers.Frank heard it fall and for an instant slackened pressure as he kicked therevolveroutofreach.The momentary diversion gave Big Al the chance he needed. Digging hisfingers into Joe's throat, he hurled the boy hard against the rockywall. Joesanktotheground,stunned."NowI'lltakecareofyou,kid!"BigAlsnarledatFrank.The huge outlaw was more than a match for Frank alone. Frank foughtdesperatelytomaintainhishold,butBigAlgrabbedhisshoulder,jerkedhimloose,anddroveapunchtoFrank'sface.Frankstaggeredback,trippedoverarock,andfellheavilytotheground."Don't try anythingmore or I'll beat your brains out!"BigAlwarned as hegropedforhislostgun.

Meanwhile,JoehadrecoveredfromthepoundingBigAlhadgivenhim,andwasfeelingaroundstealthilyforoneoftheshovels.Hisfingersclosedaroundawoodenhandle justasBigAlspoke.Seizing the implement,JoesprangtohisfeetandswunghardinthedirectionofBigAl'svoice.There was a thudding impact, a gasp, and the sound of a body hitting theground."Igothim,Frank!"Joeexclaimed."Areyouallright?""Sure-justwoozy." Frank pulled himself together and began searching for aflashlight. A moment later he found one and switched it on. Big Al laystretchedonthefloorofthecavern,unconscious."Goodwork, Joe! I thoughtwewere goners,"Frank confessed, still pantingfromthestruggle."Let'stiehimupbeforehecomesto."Theboystookofftheirbeltsandstrappedthegangleader'swristsandanklestightly.Then,withFranktakinghisshouldersandJoehislegs,theymanagedto lug their prisoner through themine tunnel. The outlaw's roan horse wasstandingoutside,hitchedtoarock."Stay here and guard him," Frank said to his brother as they dumped theirprisoneracrossthehorse'sback."I'llgoandgetthegold."Makingtwotrips,Frankhauledoutthefourbags.ThenhestoodwatchovertheunconsciousoutlawwhileJoewenttoretrievetheirhorses.Joesoonsightedthetwoanimalswanderingthroughthesnowalongthefootofthemountainside.Evidentlythescentofthewolves,ortheirsnarling,hadfrightenedthehorsesawayfromthecave.Joequicklyroundeduptheirmountsandbroughtthembacktothemouthofthemine tunnel.BigAlhadnotyet recoveredconsciousnessandFrankwastyinghimfasttotheroan."Ifoundsomeropeinhissaddlebag,"Frankexplained.Theboysloadedthegoldintotheirsaddlebags,thenJoeattachedtheleadropeofBigAl'shorsetothesaddleofhisownmount.The outlawwas showing signs of reviving. Joe rubbed snow in his face tobringhimaround faster.As theman's eyesopened,he roaredwith rageandstruggledviolentlyagainsthisbonds.Buthesoonrealizedhewashelpless.BigAl'sfacetookonasullenscowl."IhopethatgoldbringsyoupunksandDawsonandOnslowthesamekindofbad luck itbroughtme!"hemutteredviciously."Thatgoldshould'vebeenminetwenty-fiveyearsago!""You mean when you were Black Pepper, and you and your gang tried to

snatchitfromthosefourminers?"Joeasked."Youknowthattoo,eh?"TheoutlawglaredattheHardys."Allright,it'strue.IwasBlackPepper, and I'd have had the gold if that skunkDawson hadn'tcheatedmeoutofit!""Cheatedyou?"Frankretortedsarcastically."BecauseI'dputsandandgravelinthegastankofhisplane.Buthemanagedtotakeoff,andafterhecrashedabadstormcameup-sowecouldn'tevenfindthewreck."BigAlwent on bitterly, "Other jobs came up after that, and Iwas dodginglawmen.But I never forgot therewas a fortune in gold somewhere in thesemountains.Whenmymen and I came up here to lie low after that payrollrobbery,Ifiguredthiswasmychance.I'dhavehadthewholelootifithadn'tbeenforyou!""Aren't you forgetting something?" Frank asked. "You'd never have foundwhereDawsonhidthegoldifyouhadn'toverheardustalkingatthecabin."BigAllaughedharshly."Sure.Evenbeforeyoutwoshowedup,Iwashidin'inthehorseshedattachedtothecabinandwastryin'tofindoutwhatwasgoin'on.Butonce Iwisedup to the fact thatDodgewas reallyDawson, I'dhavechokedthetruthoutofhim!""Justoutofcuriosity,"Joesaid,"howdidyoufind themine today?For thatmatter,howdidyousurvivethestorm?""I'musedtothiscountry,kid-foundasnugplacetoholeupforthenight,"BigAlsaidboastfully."ThismorningIspiedyourtracksleadin'tothatwolfcave.But I spotted the pack before I went barging in. So I searched around andfoundtherealminetunnel.Afterthat,allIhadtodowaskeepstrikin'matchestillIsawwherethetunnelended.""Come on, Joe. We've spent enough time talking," said Frank. "Let's getstarted!"TheboysknewthetripbacktoLuckyLodewouldbetreacherous,especiallywithaheavyloadofgoldandthetaskofkeepingacloseeyeonBigAl.Theyquicklymountedandstartedoff.Justasthetrioemergedfromthevalley,theHardys shouted joyfully. They had sighted Hank Shale and Sheriff KennertoppingLoneTreeRidge!"Boys!Areyouallright?"Hankyelledasheandthesheriffspurredforwardtomeetthem.FrankandJoetoldtheirstoryandturnedBigAlovertothesheriff.Hankhadlistenedwithgrowingastonishmentandadmiration."Yousurearewonders,"hesaid toFrankandJoe."Wewereafraidyou'dbe

frozenstiffbynow.Andhereyou'rebringin'backBigAlandthegold!Andyousolvedthemysteryo'BartDawson!""Yourpashouldbemightyproudofyoulads!"SheriffKenneradded.TheboysgrinnedandFranksaid,"I'mgladwecouldhelpout."Thenheaskedthemen,"Howdidyougethere?"ThesheriffexplainedthatafterhandcuffingSlimandJake,heandHankhadtriedtofollowtheboysandthefleeinggangleader.Butinthedarkness,withtheothertwooutlawsontheirhands,thechasehadprovedimpossible."Sowetook 'embacktoLuckyLode,"saidKenner."WearrestedBurke.Hemade a full confession about being Slip Gun-the gang's spy in town-andpushingtheboulderintoHank'scabin.Laterthatdaywestartedbacktosearchforyou.WelookedeverywhereandhadjustgivenuphopewhenweranintoDodge-orDawson,rather-onhiswaybackandheardpartofthestory.""How'sDad?"Frankaskedanxiously."Doin'fine.Factis,thedocsayshecantakethetapeoff'nhisribsinanotherdayorso,"Hankreplied."Wepracticallyhadtotiehimdowntokeephimfromcomin'along."Late that night the lights of Lucky Lodewere sighted and bymidnight thepartyrodeintotown.FrankandJoeandtheirfatherheldawarmreunionatBenTinker'scabin.DawsonwasalsoonhandastheboystoldtheirstoryoffindingthegoldandcapturingBigAl."Ican'tgetover it,"saidBenTinker.Hechuckled."Regardin'you,Dawson,bein'Dodgeandyounotknowin'it.Nowonderyoudidn'trecognizemewhenIsawyouonetimeupinHelena."Bencackledwithsatisfaction."Reckonnowfolks'llbelieveIain'tgiventoimaginin'things!"Frank and Joe, glad the casewas solved,wonderedwhat kind of adventurewouldcometheirwaynext.TheyweresoontofindoutwhenconfrontedbyTheShoreRoadMystery.Mr.Hardy lookedproudlyathissons, thensaid,"Incidentally,boys, IhadacallfromChicagoafteryouleft,sayingthepolicehadtracedthatphonytaxidriver.Also,thosefriendsofBigAl's,Hop-kinsandhishoods,wereroundedup,thankstoyourphonetip.Theyalljustmadefullconfessions.Bytheway,HopkinsneverhadachancetosendOnslow'smaptoAl.Thegangwasgoingtopullabankholdupthatafternoon,butyourescaperuinedtheirplans.""Speakingofplans,IwonderwhatMikeOnslow'swillbewhenhelearnshe'srich,"Frankmused.

Joechuckled."Let'sphonehimfirstthinginthemorningandfindout.AndI'dgiveaminttoseeAuntGertrude'sfacewhenshehearsaboutthegold!"

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