But the young officer, reminded by the fellow's words of the manner in which the outlaw had eluded him during the day, turned on his heel and was walking away, when a shout sounded from ahead.
"This way! This way!" yelled a voice. "Red's gone this way! Here's the body of a man he's killed!"
Instantly the troopers who had been scouring the mountainside surrounding the horses gave up their efforts and hastened up the trail.
"That's Faro Pete," announced Sheriff Black, after an examination of the body. "I'd rather have lost a dozen other men than him."
"Why?" demanded Captain Smythe, forcing his way through the group about the man whom the outlaw had killed.
"Because, as a member of Red's old gang, he knew all his haunts. When he heard where the cuss had been located, he 'lowed that Red would probably make for the Old Stockade, and if he found the trails cut off, for the 'Breathing Cave.' Pete was the only man, so far as I know, who was ever with Red in the Cave. And now he's gone and we're likely to be gray headed before we can find out how to get into it."
"Breathing Cave? Breathing Cave?" repeated the captain. "What in the world are you talking about, man? Who ever heard of a Breathing Cave?"
"I have, sir," replied a voice.
In surprise, the officers and sheriff turned toward the speaker and beheld Alkali.
"Then tell us what it is and where it is," commanded Smythe.