lder, filling it even with the surface. Thus, it
would not be readily detected and might never be noted. Then,
snatching up his rifle and the bag of food, he ran down the steps with
Betty. A thrust with his rifle barrel, and a quick jerk back, knocked
the wedge stone free and saved him his gun. The boulder toppled back
into place; the stairway and tunnel below were plunged into absolute
darkness.

Kendric caught Betty's hand.

"This way," he told her. "It's straight going and no danger for a
while. Rios, Zoraida! Stand where you are and wait for us or I'll
start shooting wild. Where are you?"

"Here," growled Rios, his voice indicating that he had gone no great
distance.

"And Zoraida?"

Zoraida did not answer. Kendric went on a step or two and then struck
a match. By its short-lived light he made out Zoraida standing close
to Rios. Then the flame burned out.

"Straight ahead," commanded Kendric. When there was no sound of a step
being taken, he drew Betty's hand through his arm so as to have both of
his hands free and went forward.

"I can hardly breathe," whispered Betty. He felt her hand tighten on
his arm. "It is getting terribly steep underfoot----"

He came to where Rios was and set the rifle barrel in the small of his
back. Rios cursed bitterly but moved on. Kendric's hand found
Zoraida's arm and gripped it tightly.

"We're all together in this," he said sharply. "And don't start your
old favorite knife act. This is no time for foolery."

Zoraida moved on. But again she set her whistle to her lips and
thereafter she called out loudly to her men, commanding them to follow
swiftly.

"They won't hear you," said Kendric. "And they couldn't obey you this
time anyhow. Hurry; we'll all stifle if we don't get out of this foul
air. Rios, give me some matches; mine are getting short."

Rios, without comment, having as little love as another for the
uncertainty of the dark about him, did as he was commanded. He also
saved half of his box and began striking them himself. And thus they
went on, all of them save Kendric wondering. Making the last, steepest
descent, they stood huddled together in the treasure chamber.

"Here," said Kendric, releasing Zoraida, "we have fresh air. Here we
can talk. And, if we are sensible people, a new day can begin for all
of us here."

Ruiz Rios's wound must have been even less severe than Kendric had
supposed it. For now the Mexican seemed utterly