Nor did they overtake him until they had passed the open crack in the roof of the tunnel. Somebody laughed in the cavern ahead—then the girls all shouted.
The marauder stopped, uttering an astonished ejaculation. Bob and the two girls halted, too, but in a moment the person ahead turned, and came striding toward them, evidently fleeing from the sound of the voices.
Ann and Helen were really frightened, and with faint cries, shrank back. Bob had to be brave. He leaped forward to meet the person with the rifle, crying:
"Hold on, there!"
"Ha!" exclaimed the other and advanced the rifle until the muzzle touched Bob Steele's breast. The boy was naturally frightened—how could he help being? But he showed pluck. He did not move.
"What do you want in here? Who are you?" asked Bob, quietly.
"Goodness me!" gasped the other, and dropped the butt of his rifle to the ground. "You sure did startle me. You're one of those boys staying with the Tingleys?"
"Yes."
"And here's a couple of the girls. Not Ruth Fielding?"
"Oh, Jerry Sheming!" cried Ann, running forward. "You might have shot him with that gun."