This they entered, the man going ahead with the light, after closing the secret door behind them.
A few yards of the tunnel admitted them to a small chamber in the earth.
“The tenderfoot gophered this out, and thought to make a fortune,” Uncle Sam explained.
Gopher Gabe looked it over with interest, and estimated the distance to the cabin.
“I reckon they could holler a long time in hyer without bein’ heard beyond your cabin,” he said.
“Until they was black in the face, and nobody’d ever hear ’em.”
“Idt seems,” said the fiddler, “shust the t’ing ve are vanting.”
“I reckon,” said Uncle Sam, “if you’re lookin’ for a close cage to hold your birds in you see it right here. I’ll take care of ’em for you; for that thousand a week, you bet!”
When they had looked the place over thoroughly and discussed it, they went back to Uncle Sam’s cabin.
Gopher Gabe looked at the hidden door, which appeared to be the same as the rest of the wall.