"The beast had a collar on!" Frank remarked, positively; "and that means he must be the pet of somebody who has a hiding place in this cave!"
CHAPTER XVIII
A GUESS THAT HIT THE BULLSEYE
As Frank made this astonishing declaration his chum looked blankly at him, the information having evidently surprised him not a little.
"A tame panther, you mean, Frank?" he exclaimed, weakly.
"That's just what I'm hinting at," replied the other, positively.
"With a collar around his neck, too?" murmured Bob.
"Yes. I saw it as plain as I see you now," Frank went on. "It was when I jumped forward, and gave him the first crack that made him fall away in a hurry. A collar that was broad and stout. Why, Bob, when he threw back his head to avoid punishment I could even see where a chain could be fastened, and the animal kept in confinement."
"Whew! but he acted like a wild one, all right," protested Bob.