Instantly Yvette and Jules plunged into the tunnel. Dick and Scott backed after them with drawn revolvers threatening the men in the cave.
For a moment the leaders hesitated; apparently they were not aimed. Then Gronvold rushed to the front, followed by the captain, both carrying curious weapons which looked like heavy pistols.
All four men fired simultaneously. Dick saw the captain drop, evidently shot dead, and heard a bullet whiz past him and strike the rock behind. A burst of flame singed his hair, and he felt the hot breath of it on his face.
Then Gronvold fired at Scott. The effect as the bullet struck him was strange and awful. His body actually disappeared in a mass of flame under the impact of some projectile of unimaginable power and energy. At the same instant Dick slipped on a projecting bit of rock and fell heavily on his head. As he lost consciousness he heard the crack of a revolver behind him. Yvette and Jules, hearing the shots, had returned in the nick of time. Jules snatched up Dick and carried him down the tunnel, while Yvette very coolly shot down Gronvold just as he was reloading his terrible weapon.
When Dick recovered his senses he found himself lying on the ground at the entrance to the tunnel, his head pillowed on Yvette’s arm as she tried to pour some brandy between his lips. He could feel the sobs which shook her, and even felt a tear on his face. Jules stood on guard at the entrance to the tunnel, his revolver ready for instant action in case of pursuit.
As Dick opened his eyes, Yvette gave a gasp of relief.
“Oh, dearest, I thought you were dead!” she sobbed and burst into tears. A moment later she turned away blushing scarlet. She had betrayed her secret at last. And even in his confused state Dick felt a thrill of triumphant joy.
His head spinning he staggered to his feet. But he would have fallen if Yvette had not caught him.
“Sit down, Dick,” she said peremptorily. “Jules can look after this place.”
Dick obeyed, perforce; he was so sick and giddy that he could have done nothing even if the expected attack had come.