eft."

"But, bless my appetite, we don't want to starve in that diamond cave!"
objected Mr. Damon.

"I'll see that you don't," declared Bill Renshaw. "I'll take you in
there, unbeknownst to those fellows, and I'll provide you with plenty
of food and water. You see the cave is so big that there are some parts
they never visit."

"And we can stay in one of those parts, and eat?" asked Tom.

"Sure," answered Bill.

"And watch the diamond makers at work?" asked Mr. Jenks.

"That's it," replied the former phantom.

"Then the sooner we get started the better," remarked Mr. Damon. Mr.
Parker said nothing. He appeared to be thinking deeply, and was tapping
at some rocks with his little hammer.

The advice of Bill Renshaw was followed, and the tent, and what food
remained, was concealed in the bushes, with rocks piled over to keep
away prowling animals. Then they started for the secret cave.

The man who played the part of a ghost picked up the framework and white
cloth that had formed his disguise.

"I'll still have to use this," he explained, "for I don't want those
fellows to know that I'm helping you. I'll continue to play the spirit
of the mountain, but there won't be much need of it. I don't think any
more people will come prospecting out here."

"Have you heard of the arrival of Farley Munson?" asked Tom, as he
related the facts about the stowaway.

"He hadn't arrived up to a day or so ago," answered Bill. "I guess he's
still traveling. Farley is one of the heads of the gang," he added, "and
a dangerous man."

As Bill led the way toward the cave, taking a route that the adventurers
had never suspected led to it, he explained that the cavern was a large
one, capable of holding an army.

"But there's only a small part of it used by the diamond makers," he
added. "They work in a small recess, near the summit of the mountain.
The little cave, where I'm going to take you, opens off from it by a
long passage. And, except that you'll be pretty much in the dark, you'll
be quite comfortable. There are tables, chairs, and some bunks in the
place. I can get you some lights, and plenty of food."

"But, if you are seen taking away food, won't the others suspect
something?" asked Tom.

"I do pretty much as I please," said Bill. "I go and come when I like.
All I'm supposed to do is to watch my two sides of the mountain, play
the ghost, and give warning when any one is coming. Sometimes I leave
black and white messag