urself," replied Duval. "However, you may as well make yourself
comfortable while we enjoy our cigars."

He puffed luxuriously, as did the other.

Hal also leaned back in his chair. He chafed under this restraint, but he
realized that it would be foolish to make an effort to escape under the
very mouths of his two captors' guns. Nevertheless, he was ready to take
advantage of the first opportunity that should offer itself.

But none came.

Duval and his lieutenant, having disposed of their cigars, arose.
The former, poking the muzzle of his revolver close to Hal's head,
said sharply:

"Get up, now, and walk ahead of us. No tricks!"

Hal did as ordered, and, with the Apache chief's revolver prodding him
in the back, left the room. At a command he went down the stairs to
the basement.

"Turn to the right," instructed Duval.

Hal obeyed. At the far end of the cellar they came to a little room.
Duval motioned Hal into it and followed himself, as did his lieutenant.
The latter now kept Hal covered, while Duval tapped the walls with the
butt of his revolver.

"Perfectly solid, you see," he said to Hal.

"I see," replied Hal.

Duval struck the open door several resounding blows.

"Also perfectly solid," he remarked. "If you had a gun now you
might possibly blow the lock off, but, as you haven't, you will be
safe enough."

He turned to his aide.

"You are sure he was not armed?"

"Sure. I searched him carefully."

"All right. Then there is no need to search him again."

With his revolver he covered the lad while he backed from the
little room.

"Good-by," he said, and jumping out quickly, slammed the door closed.

"Good-by," Hal called after him, without a tremor.

"When the water begins to rise," shouted Duval, through the door, "you
may lose some of your nerve. I'd like to stay and hear you cry for mercy,
but I have other work to do. However, my friend here will stay in the
house, and I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't hear you upstairs."

To this Hal made no reply.

He now turned his attention to an examination of the room in which he
was confined. The walls rose on all sides to a height of perhaps
fifteen feet. This he had perceived while the door stood open, but
inside now it was perfectly dark, except for a tiny stream of light
that filtered in from below the walls, which failed to reach the floor
by less than an inch.

The lad felt the walls carefully with his hands. They were perfectly