aul was glad now that he had that revolver. He might not like to
make use of it; but believed it would prove very valuable as a gentle
persuader.

They had found a box of matches among other stores the two men had
collected in this retreat; so that there was now no scarcity of such
things.

Something touched him on the arm and sent a quiver through his frame,
for he was worked up to a point where he felt as though he could just
shout. Then he heard the lowest kind of a whisper close to his ear.

"Paul!"

It was of course his chum, who must also have been awake, and heard the
same suspicious sound that came to his ears.

Paul drew Jack's head close to his lips as he whispered:

"I think it is Hank, coming back for his coat. I've been sleeping on it,
and just discovered that there are papers in the pocket!"

"Oh, what can we do?" asked Jack, also in that low tone, inaudible five
feet away.

"Get a match ready, Jack," said Paul, once more in his chum's ear; "and
when I nudge you, light the lantern as fast as you can."

"All ready!" came back, a short time later.

Paul waited until he fancied that the unseen prowler must be groping in
the dark very close to them. Then he thrust his elbow into Jack's side,
causing him to grunt. But at the same instant a match flamed up, for
Jack had been ready.

"Don't you dare move a foot!" called out Paul, instantly covering a
crouching figure with the weapon he had in his hand.

Snap! Down went the lantern globe, and the cavern was brightly
illuminated. It was Hank Clausin, just as Paul had suspected, and in his
shirt sleeves too. He had come back for his coat, and walked into a
trap.

The other three boys were now on their feet, and acting under Paul's
directions they tied the man's hands. Poor Joe did not take any part in
this ceremony. His heart was too sore, though he also rejoiced because
Paul told him he had the precious papers on his person.

Hank pretended to be indignant at first, and claimed that he had done
nothing wrong. Then he changed his tactics, and threatened the boys.
Finding that this had no effect he turned to Joe, and pleaded with him.
But Joe only shook his head, after looking beseechingly at Paul, and
turned away.

None of the party obtained any more sleep that night, for they feared
that the other man might return to see what had happened to Hank. And so
all of them sat around, talking in low tones, with the lantern burning,
Paul keeping the pis