Another smile appeared on the face of the white man. Then he began to scratch his head, the two Indians regarding him questioningly. “I have it,” he said; “we’ll leave it to the maiden. Send your brave to fetch her here, and we’ll each of us put up his side of the case.” He spoke in English, but Raven Feather understood him. The chief shook his head. “The maiden shall be brought here,” he replied, “but she shall not decide the matter. It has been decided. She stays behind to grace the tepee of Raven Feather.” Holmes made no response, but he grinned when the Navaho brave started for the inner chamber. In a few minutes Myra Wilton reappeared. She was very pale, and her eyes sought those of her cousin in anxious inquiry. Holmes beckoned, and she came to his side. He whispered something in her ear, and she nodded in understanding. “She says she prefers to go with me,” spoke the villain, as he fixed his eyes on Raven Feather. The chief grunted, and Crow-killer clenched his big hands and gritted his teeth. The right hand of Holmes was resting on the butt of his revolver in the holster at his belt. He was eying Crow-killer when Buffalo Bill, followed by Bart Angell, sprang into the grotto. Their appearance only became known to the Indians when each was attacked. The king of scouts paid his respects to Crow-killer, while Bart Angell tried conclusions with Raven Feather. At the instant of the assault of the two scouts Rixton Holmes leaped upon the trap platform. Myra Wilton had already taken her position there. While a terrific struggle was going on in the grotto the platform rose, and the villain and the girl were in the open air long before the struggle ended. Myra Wilton stepped from the platform, her lovely face flushed with anger. “I did not expect this,” she indignantly exclaimed. “You told me you would stay behind to assist Mr. Cody and his partner.” “They are able to get away with the redskins without my help,” he quickly replied. “I saw that they were having things their own way before I jumped on the platform.” “I do not believe you,” she said stoutly. “You must go back. Perhaps your return may prevent a tragedy.” “I won’t go back,” was his harsh reply. “That is out of the question.” The girl sat down on the edge of the platform. “Then you may go on without me,” she declared, a determined expression on her face. “If you will not go back to the cave, I will.” “I think not, my dear cousin. You are going with me.” There was a look in his eyes that she had never seen there before. A shudder ran through the girl’s frame. But she called up her courage as she said: “Have you been lying to me? Did you not tell the truth when you said that you meant no harm to Mr. Cody and Mr. Angell?” “I told the truth.” But the villain did not meet the girl’s honest eyes as he spoke. “Then,” said she, “if you don’t go back to the cave, I must put you down as a coward. I despise a coward,” she added, in a voice that made the man wince.