e of it. You brought us here with the promise that we
could make ourselves rich, and when the first little thing goes wrong
you run. Now I will do as I please."

"It is nothing less than suicide. We have before us a journey so long
and difficult that however small a burden you may have to carry, it will
seem all too heavy."

By this time Poyor turned back to learn the cause of the halt, and when
it was explained he said gravely:

"Each instant we stand here brings death so much nearer. Even at this
moment watchful eyes may be upon us, and once we are discovered flight
will be almost impossible."

The little party stood directly in front of what was evidently the main
entrance to the temple. It was formed of twenty slender shafts of white
stone which in the moonlight looked translucent, and each column upheld
a grotesque figure composed of what appeared to be silver.

"I am goin' to have one of them images, no matter what happens," Jake
said doggedly. "I don't care how much of a tramp there is before us, and
the more the thing weighs the better I'll be pleased, for it's the first
chance I ever had to make myself rich."

"But think of us," Teddy whispered. "We all run the risk of being killed
because of what you propose to do."

"There's no need of your waitin' here. Go on, an' I'll take care of
myself. I ain't such a chump as not to be able to find my way out."

"It must be as he says. We can wait no longer," Poyor said peremptorily.
"Better one should die than all," and, seizing Neal by the shoulder, he
literally dragged him away.

Cummings did the same by Teddy, and as the boys were thus forced from
the place they saw Jake trying to make his way up one of the smooth
shafts.

"It is cruel to leave him when you know he will be killed," Neal said as
he struggled in vain to release himself from the Indian's grasp.

"He knows the danger, and will not come. We must care for ourselves. Now
remain quiet; there has been too much noise and too long a delay."

Poyor was walking at a pace so rapid that the boys were forced to run;
but before they reached the next intersecting street a loud crash was
heard from the direction of the temple, and Cummings whispered:

"He has toppled over one of the columns, and discovery is now certain.
He has insured our destruction as well as his own."

The words had hardly been uttered when shouts were heard from different
portions of the city, and, as if he had sprung from the grou