ok like," challenged Ned, turning in the direction from whence the

e who is afraid

f that's what you me

he newcomer was

e, for his experiences of the last few moments had been enoug

intness of the flame from their small fire, the darkness lying about them like a dense pall was too great

ver this way and we'll go to a more convenient and pleasant pl

received in silenc

u prefer to remain here and talk it over

wn way out of here," Ned stated wit

f this place except by the trap door through which you came. Unless you're regular little derricks you can't move all that rubbish piled on top of the

nds of his companions, and now drew the

, boys? Shall we d

e than we are now, and those rats might get good and ugly

better suggestion," added Harry. "This p

elf and let us get an idea who he is," Ned stated in a hesitating way. "Perhaps you boys

we remain where we are we'll be no worse

eds us. This fellow's coming may be just the chance for escape that we are wanting. Suppose we follow him

I'm wrong about it. I don't want to overlook a chance to help

, let's get star

r tone, addressing himself toward the plac

But I'm going now. If you care to come wit

us?" asked Ned, reluc

cannot say right n

ward. "But remember," he cautioned, "we shal

how you step. There may be irregularities in the floor that you'll have to discover for

r of the apartment at some little distance from the spot where they were standing. I

se. Their surprise increased as they observed that the ligh

t was unable to learn anything of the character of the person. He was torn between his

stranger before the light was extingu

our conversation and your footsteps. Keep as quiet as poss

s were in like plight, the lad summoned all his courage and reached out a reassuring hand to the others. The contact with his frie

and hazardous enterprises in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, China

n front of them. A cold draught of damp, musty air struck their faces, and they understood that a door had been opened into some other apartment. Th

heir ears in the faintest of whisp

bject. The shock of contact brought forth a grunt of surprise. At the same moment Harry went through a simi

hispered, "I'

arry, lowering his wh

lock step,"

s he went forward. His hands came in contact with walls that appeared to be made of stone. The dampness had gathered in great drops on the surface. A

ong the stones, with Ned feeling every inch of the way before he set his foot down. Di

y shoulder," came t

a person of about his own build. His sense of touch also told him that the other's clothing was of a material similar to the khaki uniform he himself was

d of an explosion that came faintly to thei

d Ned in a whisper.

ments in the town. They are blowing down some dangerous walls.

, but obediently gave his entire attention

t. One particularly louder than the others was followed by the sound of small pieces of rock tumbling from the roof and walls of the p

urned a corner abruptly. Ned wondered how he was able in the intense blackness to distin

ct he had kicked caught the lad's attention. Slipping his hand quickly down the other's back in preparation for a movement to pick u

object his foot had struck. He instantly recognized it to be an automatic pistol. Restraining his impulse to cry out, the lad shif

the voices of a number of men, all apparently endeavoring to tal

assage. A few steps farther on carried them past the place where the voices had b

to a position where he could face Ned.

thank you to let me have that automati

and it over," co

" whispered Ned. "Can

"I'm a bird man, and that is part of m

g as if about to fall. From the passage in their rear came shrieks and groans. An odor of sulphur came blow

here as quick as w

blast has probably filled the corridor back of us with rubb