Davy's body fell away from the trap, and a second later
Bonner's dropped through the hole. He left the trap wide open in case
retreat were necessary. Pausing long enough to assure himself that the
man was unconscious and bleeding profusely, and to snatch the big
revolver from Davy's person, Bonner turned his attention to the
surroundings.
Perhaps a hundred feet away, at the end of a long, low passage, he saw
the glimmer of a light. Without a second's hesitation he started toward
it, feeling that the worst of the adventure was past. A shadow coming
between him and the light, he paused in his approach. This shadow
resolved itself into the form of a woman, a gigantic creature, who
peered intently up the passage.
"What's the matter, Davy?" she called in raucous tones. "You damn fool,
can't you do anything without breaking your neck? I reckon you fell down
the steps? That you, Sam?"
Receiving no answer, the woman clutched the lantern and advanced boldly
upon Bonner, who stood far down the passage, amazed and irresolute. She
looked more formidable to him than any of the men, so he prepared for a
struggle.
"Halt!" he cried, when she was within ten feet of him. "Don't resist;
you are surrounded!"
The woman stopped like one shot, glared ahead as if she saw him for the
first time, and then uttered a frightful shriek of rage.
Pages:
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189