When she came to the end of the path and leaned against the rock to sing the broken refrain which was the “open sesame” to the valley, the boy was hidden snug behind a boulder where he could watch her every movement.

Then the rock opened; Tato passed in, and the opening closed behind her.

Kenneth found a foothold and climbed up the wall of rock, higher and higher, until at last he crept upon a high ridge and looked over.

The hidden valley lay spread before him in all its beauty, but the precipice at his feet formed a sheer drop of a hundred feet or more, and he drew back with a shudder.

Then he took courage to look again, and observed the house, on the porch of which stood Tato engaged in earnest conversation with a tall, dark Sicilian.  Uncle John was nowhere to be seen, but the boy understood that he was there, nevertheless, and realized that his prison was so secure that escape was impossible.

And now he climbed down again, a much more difficult feat than getting up.  But although he was forced to risk his life several times, he was agile and clear-headed, and finally dropped to the path that led to the secret door of the passage.

His next thought was to mark the exact location of the place, so that he could find it again; and as he returned slowly along the paths through the rocky fissures he took mental note of every curve and communication, and believed he could now find his way to the retreat of the brigands at any time he chose.

CHAPTER XXIV

PATSY’S NEW FRIEND

“I must say that I don’t like the job,” said Patsy, the next morning, as she stood by the window and faced Beth and Kenneth.  “Suppose we fail?”

“In the bright lexicon of youth—­”

“Shut up, Ken.  If we fail,” said Beth, “we will be no worse off than before.”

“And if we win,” added the boy, “they’ll think twice before they try to rob Americans again.”

“Well, I’m with you, anyhow,” declared Patricia.  “I can see it’s risky, all right; but as you say, no great harm will be done if we slip up.”

“You,” announced Beth, gravely, “must be the captain.”

“It isn’t in me, dear.  You figured the thing out, and Ken and I will follow your lead.”

“No,” said Beth, decidedly; “I’m not quick enough, either in thought or action, to be a leader, Patsy.  And there’s a bit of deception required that I couldn’t manage.  That clever little thing, Tato, would know at once I was up to some mischief; but she would never suspect you.”

“I like that compliment,” replied Patricia.  “I may deserve it, of course; but it strikes me Louise is the one best fitted for such work.”

“We can’t let Louise into this plot,” said the boy, positively; “she’d spoil it all.”

“Don’t be silly, Patsy,” said Beth.  “You’re genuine and frank, and the child likes you.  I could see that yesterday.  All you have to do is to be nice to her and win her confidence; and then, when the climax comes, you must be the spokesman and talk straight out from the shoulder.  You can do that all right.”