A rough hand closed over Dorothy’s mouth, shutting off her breath, strangling her. In an instant Tavia and Joe were similarly gagged and helpless.
There was a silence during which their captors waited breathlessly, hoping that the horseman had not heard the cry, would pass the cave by.
For a moment, remembering how well the spot was concealed, Dorothy was horribly afraid that this might actually happen. If it was really Garry coming! If he had heard her!
But the clattering hoofs still came on. She could hear the shouts of the riders, Garry’s voice, calling her name!
She felt herself released with a suddenness and violence that sent her reeling toward the rear of the cave. The men were making for the entrance, jostling one another and snarling in their efforts to escape.
The men out of sight beyond the huge rock, Dorothy and Tavia rushed to the cave mouth, leaving poor Joe to limp painfully after them, just in time to see the knaves disappear among the trees.
The next moment a horseman broke through the underbrush, charging straight for them. It was Garry!
At sight of Dorothy he pulled his horse to its haunches, drawing in his breath in a sharp exclamation.
“Dorothy! Thank heaven! I thought——”
“Never mind about us, Garry. They went over that way—the men you are after!”