"Is—is that you, Cale?" mumbled the former wonderingly.
Young Vick nodded his head slowly.
"How did you get here?" asked Thane, sensing peril in those boring, unfaltering eyes. His hand went out to feel for the revolver he had dropped. "Where—What has become of the man that jumped on me? The detective."
"I am the man," said Cale levelly.
"You? What's the matter with you, Cale? This is a hell of a way to treat a friend. What do you mean by helping these—"
"Cut that out," snarled Cale. "It don't go with me. Get up! You dirty cur,—get up!"
"My God, Cale,—have you gone crazy?" gasped Thane, going cold to the marrow. He shot a swift, terrified look toward the mouth of the cave.
"Get up! It won't do you any good to yell. No one will hear you."
Courtney drew himself to his knees.
"It won't, eh? There's a gang of Secret Service men down there. They'll blow your brains out if you—"