The crack of rifles was heard, and bullets flattened against the gallery wall. “My soul! we are discovered!” he cried, wildly. “Come, Barney, we must follow this passage somewhere--anywhere.” “That’s the divil’s luck!” cried Barney, in dismay. “But sure, sir, I’m wid yez foriver. We’ll give the omadhouns the slip yet, or me name ain’t O’Shea.” Into the passage they darted. The sounds of pursuit came in their rear. All was dense blackness in the shaft and they were obliged to rush on blindly. Lights were seen in their rear, and at times it seemed as if their pursuers must surely overtake them. But Frank was possessed of a deadly resolution. He knew that if he was caught it would be certain death. Of course in the darkness there was imminent danger at any moment of falling into some dangerous pit or hole. But the young inventor preferred such a fate to certain capture. Barney kept at his heels closely. Thus they rushed on at full speed. Every moment new passages were encountered. Frank adopted the tactics of dodging into every one he could come to and keeping to the right. In this way he had soon distanced his pursuers. The sounds of pursuit died out in the rear. Satisfied of their safety for the moment they came to a halt. Both were quite exhausted, and Barney was particularly so. The Celt flung himself flat upon the floor of the cavern. “Och hone, Misther Frank,” he cried, in a panting manner, “shure, it’s all done out I am wid the exertion av the run. But we’ve disthanced the divils anyhow.” “That’s true,” agreed Frank, “but in my opinion we are a long ways from being out of the scrape.” “Shure, that’s right.” “I’ve no idea where we are or how we’ll ever get out of this place.” “Bejabers, I’m sthuck intoirely mesilf an that.” “But I still cling to a hope that we will yet get out of here all right.” “I hope so, sor.” “Of course the greasers are familiar with the passages in this mine.” “Yis, sor.” “They probably will make a very thorough search. In that case they will be likely to run us down.” “Shure, I fear that, sor.” Lying upon the hard floor of the shaft the two fugitives listened fearfully for sounds of the pursuit. But none came, and after awhile they felt a renewal of hope. But to remain where they were was out of the question. Where to go or what to do was a problem. Finally Frank decided that the best move was to cautiously work their way if possible back to the main body of the mine. But in the fearful darkness this did not seem likely to be an easy bit of work. One passage could not be told from another. Yet Frank decided upon this as the only feasible move. He went in advance and Barney followed slowly. In this manner they crept along in a cautious way. What seemed an age passed, when a startling incident occurred. Suddenly Frank heard a muffled voice in what seemed like a long distance away. “Misther Frank! Shure, where have yez gone?” “Barney!” cried Frank, in surprise, “where are you?”