"You tell 'em what I said!" came the sheriff's voice. "No stalling!" His eyes unaccustomed to the darkness, Marlin allowed himself to be guided along some sort of a wooden platform. It slanted at an angle which made walking difficult. The guiding hands proved to be DuChane's. "This is a hell of a mess," the latter breathed. "What's to be done?" "Give up the outlaw. We're trapped in here like rats," Marlin answered. "If we don't come through, they'll toss in tear bombs. Can any of you imagine what that would be like in this place?" "Leave it to that fool Sally!" McGruder said harshly. The girl turned on him with a spiteful retort as an impatient call reached them from outside. Marlin raised his voice. "Give me a chance!" he bellowed. The words echoed through the hollow interior. "It's dark in here. I've got to find 'em, haven't I?" He dropped his voice to a whisper. "How's the wounded jasper?" "Passed out," DuChane informed him. "I'll lead you to him." Feeling their way, they emerged in a box-like enclosure partly filled with tools. Maw Barstow, holding a feeble flashlight, squatted beside a huddled mass which was evidently the wounded man. Cradling his head in her lap was Pearl. An accidental shifting of the flashlight beam revealed her tranquil, madonna-like smile as she gazed down at the blood-smeared face. "Sorry," Marlin announced. "We've got to get rid of this bad bozo. How's he doing?" "You ain't gonna move the pore critter!" countered Maw fiercely. Protest was futile. DuChane settled the argument by seizing the shrieking woman and holding her while Marlin gathered up the unconscious outlaw and felt his way back toward the opening. He was nearly thrown from his feet once as the platform--apparently the whole sphere--gave an unexpected lurch. "Where's the place?" he demanded, sensing figures in the darkness surrounding. "I can't see the light." Sally's laugh reached him shrilly. "And what's more, you won't." He paused, uncomprehending. Link's squeaky voice brought the explanation. "They can't get us now. McGruder and me levered the pipe out with a board. You oughta see the stuff pour in." The full enormity of this was slow in penetrating Marlin's mind. "What's that!" called DuChane, his voice rising in alarm. He came stumbling toward them in the darkness. "Now isn't that fine! It isn't enough that we're trapped in here, but we've got to make the trap foolproof by blocking the only way out!" Unmindful of the stormy exchange of insults and recriminations that surged around him, Marlin picked his way back to the tool room and deposited his groaning charge at Maw Barstow's feet. "Better dress the wounds," he commented. "Where's Eli?" "Somewhere down there," Maw replied vaguely. "Pearlie, darlin', help me get this bloody shirt offen the pore dear." CHAPTER VI