The same thought struck them both. They had passed through the labyrinth--might not Jack and his captor or captors have done the same? "It's so," muttered Duplin, pointing to a broad track close beside their own. "There is the same track that Jack measured. Hurrah! we may find him yet!" "True--but how? Alive, or--_dead_?" In silence the two friends scrutinized the sandy ground around. Finally they were rewarded by finding where the trail led away from the further side of the creek. In silence they glanced at each other, as they noted the point toward which the trail now tended. It seemingly led direct to the valley whence they had made that strange discovery--to the cliff in which lived the strange couple. Then the truth struck them, and they wondered that they had not thought of this solution before. The madman was their strangely-acting adversary. And in this fact they saw a solution of his wild antics with the glowing skeletons. Surely no sane man would have acted as he had done--have braved such danger. "Dead or alive, we will find Jack there," at length uttered Duplin. "Find him we must, but it requires caution. One man like that could keep a thousand at bay from the cave. And if he is mad, it would be a crime to kill him, even in self-defense." "Come. We will do the best we can." Though feeling morally certain as to where the trail would lead them, the gold-hunters did not neglect any precaution, and slowly traced out the footprints. True to their suspicions, they led directly to the foot of the cliff, where they were lost upon the flinty rocks. Concealing themselves, they patiently watched the cliff for hours, in vain hoping to learn whether the madman was still in the cave. But then, urged on by anxiety for their comrade, they cautiously began scaling the cliff. When half-way to the ledge that served as entrance to the cave, Duplin, who was in advance, abruptly paused. A slight noise from above caught his ear. For a brief instant a face met his startled gaze, then it vanished. But, brief though the glance was, he recognized it as the face of the maiden he had seen once before. "They've discovered us, Burr," he muttered. "Now for it! Up, or we are lost!" But, contrary to their expectations, they reached the cliff-ledge unmolested, and then sprung forward to the cave entrance. They paused; all was still. Only for that brief vision, they would have believed it was unoccupied. All within was dark, impenetrable to their gaze, dazzled by the bright sunlight. But then there came a cry--a voice well known to their ears. The voice of Jack Tyrrel, for whom they had dared and endured so much! "Boys--thank God! you are here!" These were the words. Then Duplin and Wythe sprung forward. It was a happy meeting, and for a time none noticed the maiden, who had shrunk back against the wall. But then Jack glanced around and said: