“But where did they go?” demanded Tommy.

“I guess that’s what no fellow can find out,” replied Will.

The boys continued their search in the hope of finding the passage by which the two men had escaped.  At last they came to a small opening in the floor of the cavern which apparently led to a cavity farther down.

“They didn’t wait for the elevator!” laughed Tommy.  “Shall we go down after them?” asked Sandy.

“I think we’d better get back to the cabin.”  Will argued.  “It must be after ten o’clock now, and George may be in trouble for all we know.”

“Three times and out!” exclaimed Sandy.  “The next time we catch sight of the Little Brass God, we’ll sure get out fingers on it!”

“I’d be happy just now if I could get my fingers on something to eat!” Thede declared.  “I’m about starved!”

“We’ve got a few sandwiches, if they’ll do any good,” suggested Will.

“If they’ll do any good!” repeated Sandy.  “You bring ’em out here and we’ll see whether they will or not.”

“Thede ran to the door of the cavern and looked out, calling softly to the Indian as he did so.  Oje was nowhere to be seen!

“I wonder where that Indian went?” the boy asked.

“He probably got busy after some one!” Will replied.

The boys devoured the sandwiches which remained from the supply provided by Will and then started back to the cabin.

The moon was now high up in the heavens, and the boys could trace foot tracks in the snow quite distinctly.  For a time they saw the prints of Oje’s moccasins.  They seemed to be following another track which was obliterated by his passage.

“Perhaps he’s chasing the two fellows who had the Little Brass God!” suggested Sandy.  “If he is, I hope he gets ’em.”

After a time the tracks swung away to the left and the boys saw them no more.  When they came in view of the cabin a bright light was reflected through the broken window pane, but there seemed to be no evidences of motion on the inside.

“I presume George has gone to sleep,” Will said.  “I should think he’d be tired of waiting.  It must be somewhere about one o’clock!”

When the boys came up to the cottage they saw a figure detach itself from the shadows which lay against the west wall and dash precipitously into the thicket.  Will hastened to throw the door open.

The boy started back in alarm, as he noted the condition of the interior.  The bunks lay broken on the floor, and it was plain that the whole apartment had been most thoroughly pillaged.

CHAPTER XXI

TWO RIFLE SHOTS

As the boys stepped into the room George arose from a heap of blankets near a broken bunk and stood regarding them with a quizzical smile on his face.  The boys at once clustered around him with dozens of questions on their lips.