careful," warned Canfield.

"That's all right," answered Dick, "but we can't stand here all day
figuring out precautions. We've got to know right off whether there's
anyone in that chamber watching the boys!"

"What a joke it would be to put on a ghost in Tunnel Six!" laughed Will,
in a decidedly cheerful frame of mind, now that rescue seemed so near.

"Don't try any foolishness!" advised Canfield. "Let's rescue the boys if
possible and make our way out of this horrible place."

Will crawled to the edge of the shaft with Dick and whispered as he
lowered him into the dark opening below:

"Remember," he said, "that Ventner may have discovered the money. If so,
we must secure it before we leave the place! It will be just like him to
stow the bank notes away in some chamber like the one you are about to
enter. When you strike bottom, if there is no one in sight except the
boys, turn on your searchlight and take a good look over the interior of
the chamber.

"We were in there not so very long ago, but at that time we weren't
thinking of making a search there for hidden money. You'll have to use
your own judgment about turning on the light, of course. The outlaws may
be out in the gangway, some distance from the entrance to the chamber,
or they may be within six feet of where the boys are held as prisoners."

"Tommy ought to be able to tell me the minute I strike the heap of shale
whether the outlaws are close by or not!" Dick suggested.

"Of course!" answered Will, "if he knows. If the men are not in sight,
and he doesn't know where they are, you'll simply have to take chances.
If you get caught in there, you'll have to shoot, and shoot quick!"

Dick, dropped down into the old shaft and directly the anxious watchers
above heard the rattle of shale as it dropped from the pyramid under the
opening. Will, still clinging to the rope, lay on his stomach and peered
downward, watching with all anxiety for some show of light, or some
sound which might indicate the situation below.

Directly Will felt a soft, steady pull at the rope, and knew that one of
the boys was ready to be assisted to the top.

Dick came up first, chuckling as he landed on the edge of the break in
the rock, and was immediately followed by Jimmie.

"Where's Tommy and George?" asked Will in a whisper.

"They're down there looking for the money!"

"Looking for the money in the darkness?"

"Sure!" was the reply. "You see," he went on, "those ginks t