ions. Tom took a flash-light of the cave, and we had it
developed, but it was not a howling success. Still, it shows something
of the interior.

"When we got back to open air again, we noticed the vast mountain-top
that sat down upon that gold-mine. This would have to be removed if we
mined from the top. But I believe we can manage to work in through that
tunnel and secure the gold by means of lifts in that tube. This is a
matter of discussion. The gold is there and it can be gotten out, just
so long as Old Grizzly will behave."

There was a general chorus of sighs when John had concluded his story,
and as technical matters were taken up by the men, and in this the girls
were not interested, they wandered away to enjoy the twilight.

During the days that followed, Barbara left Pebbly Pit, with no regrets
on her part, and not very many on the part of her summer companions. She
was not in her rightful place on a ranch, and every one was honest
enough to admit it. But now she was going to join "her own" and she was
happy.

Tom and John were the next to leave the happy circle at the ranch. But
not until all plans about the incorporating of the two companies were
perfected. Each man present at that meeting, signing up liberally to
supply the money to launch the two big enterprises.

The evening before John and Tom were to go back to their engineering
work with their old Crew, Polly and Eleanor were out on the terrace with
Tom, talking eagerly of the plans made for mining the ore from Choko's
Find. From this subject it was quite natural for the girls to launch
the subject of their anticipated winter in New York City.

"I suppose you two girls will see quite a little of Jim and Ken, when
you arrive in New York," ventured Tom, wistfully (or so it seemed to
romantic Eleanor).

"They said so; Jim says New Haven is not so far from New York but that
the two of them--I mean the boys not the cities," laughed Polly--"may be
able to visit us every week-end. That will be great fun for us, won't
it, Tom?"

"I suppose so. I wonder if John would care for you to see so much of the
two boys as you plan to," replied Tom, suggestively.

"Oh, John won't care! Why should he?" retorted Polly.

"Why _shouldn't_ he? He's your brother and you are growing up to be a
young lady, Polly; you must think of appearances, you know," said Tom.

Polly laughed merrily. "Why, Tom! One would think you were concerned
about my future, the way you prea