gold, and they'd do away with us in a minute if they thought they could find what we're looking for and get it without us. But our secret is ours yet, I'm glad to say. If only the balloon behaves we ought soon to be in the"
"Hark!" exclaimed Ned, holding up a warning hand. They heard a rustling outside the tent, and one side bulged in, as if some one was leaning against it.
"Some one's listening," whispered Ned.
Tom nodded. The next moment he drew his heavy automatic revolver and remarked in loud tones:
"My gun needs cleaning. I'm going to empty it through the tent where that bulge is—look out, Ned."
The bulge against the canvas disappeared as if by magic, and the sound of some one crawling or creeping away could be heard outside. Tom laughed.
"You see how it is," he aid. "We can't even think aloud."
"Bless my collar button; who was it?" asked Mr. Damon.
"Some of Delazes's men—or himself," replied the young inventor. "But I guess I scared him."
"Maybe it was Andy Foger," suggested Ned with a smile.
