The little man slapped him familiarly on the back.
"As all true Apaches!" he exclaimed. "Bien! Then you shall come with me."
He led the way along the dark street and the lads followed him.
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE APACHE DEN.
Before a low-lying, tumble-down wooden shack of but a single story the little man paused and glanced furtively about. Then he darted quickly up the steps, and, motioning to the lads to follow him, disappeared within.
Inside Hal and Chester found themselves in what appeared to be a narrow passageway. It was damp and evil-smelling and the darkness was intense. The lads were unable to see a yard in front of them. The voice of the little man pierced the darkness.
"Come," he said, and the lads advanced in the darkness.
They came presently to a flight of stairs, leading down, and they descended slowly, feeling their way that they might not fall. At the bottom there was still nothing but darkness. Here their guide was waiting for them and allowed them to pass. A moment and there came to the ears of the lads a dull clang, as if a heavy iron door had been closed behind them.
And this, in truth, was the case.