Page:Tom Swift Among the Diamond Makers.djvu/186

176 he was going out on the mountain once more to act the part of a lookout, and would visit the adventurers again the next day.

"In the meanwliile you can do just as you please," he said. "Nobody is likely to disturb you here, and you can sneak up and take a look at the men in the other cave whenever you're ready. Only be careful—that's all I've got to say. They're desperate men."

It was not very pleasant, eating in the gloomy cavern, but they made the best of it. They cooked on a small oil-stove they found in the place, and after some hot coffee they felt much better.

"Well," remarked Tom, after a while, "shall we take a chance, and go look at the men at work?"

"I think so," answered Mr. Jenks. "The sooner we discover this mystery, the better. Then we can go back home."

"And recover my airship," added Tom, who was a bit uneasy regarding the safety of the Red Cloud.

"Then, bless my finger-rings! let's go and see if we can find the big cave your friend the ghost told us of," suggested Mr. Damon.

Cautiously they made their way along the passage Bill had pointed out. As they went