“What are we going to do?” asked a third.
“Cut and run for it!” some one answered. “The game is up. Scatter, and we’ll meet again, later. Lively’s the word!”
Jack looked out to see the two men he and his chums had observed before, with a third one, start for the wooded slope of the mountain. Then he saw the old man and the half-witted helper.
“Wait—wait for me!” pleaded the aged one. “I can’t run fast, I’m all crippled with rheumatism! Wait!”
“We can’t wait. Look out for yourself,” one man flung back unfeelingly over his shoulder. “It’s every one for himself.”
“Ah! desert me, would you!” cried the old man, shaking his fist at the fleeing ones. “But I’ll get even with you. Old Jason will get even! I’ll let the girls out of the cave, and tell them the whole story! I’ll let the girls out of the secret room in the cave!”
Jack had been in two minds whether to advance and speak to the old man, or follow the fleeing ones, but as he heard these words he knew something else now called for his attention.
“The girls in the cave!” he murmured. “It must be Cora and the others he means. They must have gone into the cave while we were in town. I’ve got to rescue them. Let the men go! I must help the girls.”
Catching up his lantern, Jack dashed back into the dark cavern.
“I’m coming, girls! I’m coming!” he cried. “To the rescue!”