like bear in a trap."

"What does the old idiot mean by that?" asked Will.

"Search me!" replied Tommy.

"How did he ever get you in here?"

"That's a pretty question to ask of us!" declared Tommy. "How did
he ever get you in here?"

"He came to camp and volunteered to help find you run-away boys,"
replied Will. "He brought me to the hills and tumbled boulders
into the entrance to the cavern."

"Well, he came to our assistance almost as soon as we reached the
hills in search of George," Tommy grinned. "He was so mighty
careful to get us into safe quarters that he led us into this
rotten hole and fixed it so we couldn't get out!"

"What's he doing it all for?" Will asked, turning to Tommy.

"Perhaps Thede Carson can tell you better than I can," replied
Tommy. "You remember Thede Carson, don't you, Will?"

"I seem to see a faint, resemblance in this lad to a boy I used to
know as Thede Carson," Will laughed. "He looks now, though, as if
he had plenty to eat, and a good place to sleep!"

"I have been eating regularly," grinned Thede, "but there's no
knowing whether I'll ever connect with another bear steak."

"He came up here with Pierre," Sandy explained. "Perhaps he can
tell you what the half-breed is up to."

"I don't know any more about it than you do!" replied Thede. "He
didn't seem to like the idea of my associating with George," the
boy added with a wink at Will, "and so he bunched us together and
locked us up."

While Pierre gave vent to hoarse shouts of rage, and many entirely
unnecessary and insulting taunts, the boys explained the events of
the past night. The thing which startled Will most was the story
Thede told about having caught sight of the Little Brass God.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Certain sure!"

"It wasn't the firelight or anything like that?"

"No, it was the Little Brass God!"

"Was it Pierre who sat before the fire?"

Thede shook his head doubtfully.

"I don't think so," he replied.

"Did you see the man's face?"

"Only in the shadows. His chin was on his breast at first, and
then, when he looked up, he turned his head the other way."

"Well," Will said, "we have at least located the ugly little beast."

"Did it look complete and whole?" asked Tommy. "That's one
question you didn't answer when you told me about having seen it."

"Just as good as new," replied Thede. "If it had been opened at
all, the trick was turned by a man who understood the combina