Frank flung the flashlight about. Its circle of radiance illuminated the dark entrance to the chamber clearly. There, in the very center of the opening, stood a tall, swarthy man with villainous features. He had a heavy black beard and his dark eyebrows were knitted with wrath. And, leveled directly at the two boys, he held in each hand a wicked-looking black revolver.
"Hands up!" he rasped curtly, in a voice that vibrated with anger.
The Hardy boys knew without question that this man was none other than the notorious outlaw they had tried to circumvent—Black Pepper!
CHAPTER XXIII
The Capture
The Hardy boys were stunned by surprise. With victory in their grasp they had turned to confront this menacing figure that seemed to have risen like a ghost from the darkness. Black Pepper had captured them red-handed.
"Drop that gold!" growled the outlaw. "Drop that gold and put up your hands!"
They faced one another tensely. Suddenly Frank pointed to the tunnel directly behind Black Pepper.
"Grab him!" he shouted.