“The main cave is a large one,” said Mr. Jenks, “and there are many hiding places in it. In fact, it is so large that it will take those fellows several days to complete a circuit of it. By that time Bill Renshaw may come back, and take us to some place in which they have already searched for us. Then we’ll be comparatively safe.”
This thought was some consolation to them, as they made their way through the dark passage, dimly illuminated by the lantern they had rekindled, to the place where Bill had hidden them. They found things as they had left them, and proceeded to get a meal, though Tom said it would be best not to cook anything, or even to make coffee, for fear the odors would enable the searchers to trail them.
So they ate cold food, glad to get that. Silently they sat about the dimly-lighted cavern, and discussed the situation. True they might even now retreat, going out of the entrance Bill had showed them, and so escape. But Mr. Jenks felt that his mission was not completed yet, and they all agreed to stay with him.
“For there are several points about making diamonds that are not quite clear to me,” he said. “I need to know how that steel box is constructed, how the electrical switches are arranged, what kind of lightning rods they use, and how they regulate the pressure. The other things, and how to mix the ingredients, I already know.”
“Then we’ll do our best to help you,” promised Tom. “But now I think we had better see what sort of a defense we can put up. We have our guns and revolvers, and with these chairs and tables we can build a sort of barricade behind which we can take refuge if those fellows do discover our hiding place.”
This was conceded to be a good idea, and soon a rude sort of fort was made, behind which the adventurers could take their stand and fight, if necessary, though they hoped this would not come to pass.
They remained quietly in the cave the remainder of that day, and, when it was night, as they could tell by their timepieces—there was no daylight—they divided the hours into watches, taking turns standing guard.
Morning, at least in point of time, came without any disturbance, and they made a cold breakfast. They hoped that Bill Renshaw would come, but he did not appear.
After sitting in the dark cave until afternoon, Tom said:
“I think we might as well go and take another observation of the big cave. We can tell what the men are doing, then, for they don’t seem to have been near us. Maybe they have given up the search for us, and we can see them at work, and Mr. Jenks can gain what further knowledge he needs.”
“That will be a good plan,” agreed the diamond man. “It’s maddening to sit here, doing nothing.”
“And it will be comparatively safe to go from here to our former post of observation,” added Tom, “for there doesn’t seem to be any opening along the tunnel, into the larger cave, except the place where we were.”
Accordingly they started off. Cautiously they looked through the opening into the apartment where they had seen the diamonds made.
“There’s not a soul here!” exclaimed Tom, in a whisper. The others looked. The place was deserted—the machinery silent. Mr. Jenks peered in for a moment, and then exclaimed:
“I’m going in! Now’s my chance to find out all that I wish to know! It may never come again, and then we can soon leave Phantom Mountain!”
It was a daring plan, but it seemed to be the best one to follow. They were all tired of inactivity. Mr. Jenks managed to get through the opening, and dropped into the big cave. The others followed. Mr. Jenks hurried over to the steel box, and began an examination of it. Tom Swift was looking at the electrical switch. He saw how it was constructed. Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker were peering interestedly about.
Suddenly the sound of voices was heard, and the echo of footsteps. Mr. Jenks started.
“They’re coming back!” he whispered hoarsely. “Run!”
They all turned and sped toward their hiding place. But they were too late. An instant later Folwell, Munson and the other diamond makers confronted them. Our friends made a bold rush, but were caught before they could go ten feet.
“We have them!” cried Munson. “They walked right into our hands!”
It was true. Tom Swift and the others were the prisoners of the diamond makers.
CHAPTER XXIII
BROKEN BONDS
“Well,” remarked Tom Swift, in mournful tones, “this looks as if we were up against it; doesn’t it?”
“Bless my umbrella, it certainly does,” agreed Mr. Damon.
“And it’s all my fault,” said Mr. Jenks. “I shouldn’t have gone into the big cave. I might have known those men would come back any time.”
The above conversation took place as our friends lay securely bound in a small cave, or recess, opening from the larger cavern, where, about an hour before, they had been captured and made prisoners by the diamond makers. Despite their struggles they had been overpowered and bound, being carried to the cave, where they were laid in a row on some old bags.
“It certainly is a most unpleasant situation, to say the least,” observed Mr. Parker.
“And all my fault,” repeated Mr. Jenks.
“Oh, no it isn’t,” declared Tom Swift, quickly. “We were just as ready to follow you into that cave as you were to go. No one could tell that the men would return so soon. It’s nobody’s fault. It’s just our bad luck.”
From where he lay, tied hand and foot, the young inventor could look out into the cave where he and the others had been caught. The diamond makers were busily engaged, apparently in getting ready to manufacture another batch of the precious stones. They paid little attention to their captives, save to warn them, when they had first been taken into the little cave, that it was useless to try to escape.
“They needn’t have told us that,” observed Tom, as he and the others were talking over their situation in low voices. “I don’t believe any one could loosen these ropes.”
“They certainly are pretty tight,” agreed Mr. Damon. “I’ve been tugging and straining at mine for the last half hour, and all I’ve succeeded in doing is to make the cords cut into my flesh.”
“Better give it up,” advised Mr. Jenks.
“We’ll just have to wait.”
“For what?” the scientist wanted to know.
“To see what they’ll do with us. They can’t keep us here forever. They’ll have to let us go some time.” Following their capture, Folwell and Munson, the latter the stowaway of the airship, had been in earnest conversation regarding our friends, but what conclusion they had reached the adventurers could only guess.
“And we didn’t have time to examine the diamond-making machinery close enough so that we could duplicate it if necessary,” complained Tom, a little later.
“No,” agreed Mr. Jenks. “There are certain things about it that are not clear to me. Well, I don’t believe I’ll have another chance to inspect it. They’ll take good care of that, though they seem to be getting ready to make more diamonds.”
“Perhaps they’re going to manufacture a big batch, and then leave this place,” suggested Mr. Damon. “They will probably go to some other secret cave, and leave us here.”
“I hope they untie us before they leave, and give us something to eat,” remarked the young inventor.
For two hours longer the captives lay there, in most uncomfortable positions. Then Folwell and Munson, leaving the group of diamond makers who were grouped about the machinery, approached the captives.
“Well,” remarked Munson, “we got ahead of you after all; didn’t we. You thought you had our secret, but it will be a long while before you ever make diamonds.”
“What are you going to do with us?” asked Tom.
“Never mind. You came where you had no right to, and you must take the consequences.”
“We did have a right to come here!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “I am entitled to know how the diamonds are made. I paid for the information, and you tricked me. If ever it’s possible I’ll have the whole gang arrested for swin
dling.”
“You’ll never get the chance!” declared Folwell. “You were given some diamonds for the money you invested, and that makes us square.”
“No, it doesn’t!” declared Mr. Jenks. “I invested the money to learn how to make diamonds, and you know it! You tricked me, and I had a right to try to discover your secret! I nearly have it, too, and I’ll get it completely before I’m done with you!”
“No, you won’t!” boasted Folwell. “But we didn’t come here to tell you that. We came to give you something to eat. We’re not savages and we’ll treat you as well as we can in spite of the fact that you are trespassers. We’re going to give you some grub, but I warn you that any attempt to escape will mean that some of you will get hurt.”
He signalled to some of his confederates. These men unbound the captives’ arms, and stood over them while they ate some coarse food that was brought into the small cave. They were given coffee to drink, and then, when the simple meal was over, they were securely bound again, and left to themselves, while the diamond makers went back to their machinery.
It was evident that they were going to attempt a big operation, for an unusually large quantity of the white stuff was prepared. The prisoners watched them idly. They could see some but not all of the operations. In this way several hours passed.
Gloom possessed the hearts of Tom and his friends. Not only had their expedition been almost a failure so far, but the young inventor was worried lest the gang might discover and wreck his airship. This would prove a serious loss. Lying there in the semi-darkness the lad imagined all sorts of unpleasant happenings.
At times he dozed off, as did the others. They had become somewhat used to the pain caused by the bonds, for their nerves were numb from the strain and pressure.
Once, as he was lightly sleeping, Tom was awakened by hearing loud voices in the main cave. He looked out, rolling over slightly to get a better view. He saw the man who, once before had run in to give news of an approaching electrical storm.
“Are you fellows all ready?” asked this same man again.
“Yes. Is there another storm coming?”
“Yes, and it’s going to be a corker!” was the reply. “It’s one of the worst I’ve ever seen. It’s sweeping right up the valley. It’ll be here in an hour.”
“That’s good. We need a big flash to make all the material we have prepared into diamonds. It’s the biggest batch we ever tried. I hope it succeeds, for we’re going to leave—” The rest was in so low a tone that Tom could not catch it.
The storm messenger departed. Folwell and Munson busied themselves about the machinery. Tom dozed off again, dimly wondering what had become of Bill Renshaw, and whether the former ghost knew of their plight. The others were asleep, as the young inventor saw by the dim light of a lantern in the cave. Then, he too, shut his eyes.
Tom was suddenly awakened by feeling some one’s hands moving about his clothing. At first he thought it was one of the diamond-making gang, who had sneaked in to rob him. “Here! What are you up to?” exclaimed Tom.
“Quiet!” cautioned a voice. “Are you all here?”
“All of us—yes. But who are you?”
“Easy—keep quiet, Tom Swift! I’m Bill Renshaw! I’ve been searching all over for you, since I got back to your cave and found it empty. Now I’m going to free you. I got in here by a secret entrance. Wait, I’ll cut your ropes.” There was a slight sound, and an instant later Tom was freed from his bonds.
CHAPTER XXIV
IN GREAT PERIL
The young inventor could scarcely believe the good luck that had so unexpectedly come to him and his companions. No sooner was Tom able to move freely about than Bill Renshaw performed the same service for Mr. Jenks and the others, cautioning them to be quiet as he awakened them, and cut the ropes.
“Bless my circulation!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, in a hoarse whisper. “How did you ever get here. I’d given ourselves up for lost.”
“Oh, I came in off the mountain, as there’s a big storm due,” explained the man. “There was no need of me playing the haunt in daytime, anyhow. I went to the cave, found you and your things gone, and I surmised that you might have walked into some trap.”
“We did,” admitted Mr. Jenks, grimly.
“Well, I hunted around until I found you,” went on Bill. “This mountain is honeycombed with caves, all opening from the large one, I know them better than these fellows do, so I could explore freely, and keep out of their sight. They didn’t know that there was a second entrance to this place, but I did, and I made for it, when I couldn’t find you in some of the other caves where I looked. And, sure enough, here you were.”
“Well, we can’t thank you enough,” said Mr. Parker. “But you say there is a big storm coming?”
“One of the biggest that’s been around these parts in some time,” replied Bill.
“Then perhaps the mountain will be destroyed,” went on the scientist, as calmly as if he had remarked that it might rain.
“I hope nothing like that happens until we get away,” spoke Mr. Damon, fervently.
“What had we better do?” inquired Tom.
“Get away, unless you want to discover some more of their secrets,” advised Bill. “Those fellows are planning something, but I can’t find out what it is. They are suspicious of me, I think. But they are up to something, and I believe, it would be best for you to leave while you have the chance. It may not be healthy to stay. That’s why I did my best to untie you.”
“We appreciate what you have done,” declared Mr. Jenks, “but I want my rights. I must learn a few more facts about how to make diamonds from lightning flashes, and then I will have the same secret they cheated me out of. I think if we wait a while we may be able to see the parts of the process that are not quite clear to us. What do you say, Tom Swift?”
“Well, I would like to learn the secret,” replied the lad, “and if Bill thinks it’s safe to stay here a while longer—”
“Oh, I guess it will be safe enough,” was the reply. “Those fellows won’t bother about you now that they are about to make some more diamonds. Besides, they think you’re all tied up. Yes, you can stay here and watch, I reckon. I’ve got a couple of guns, and—”
“Then we’ll stay,” decided Tom. “We can put up a better fight now.”
Silently, in their prison, but which they could now leave whenever they pleased, the adventurers watched the diamond makers once more. The same process they had witnessed before was gone through with. The white balls were put inside the steel box and sealed up. Then they waited for the storm to reach its height.
That this would not be long was evidenced by the mutterings of thunder which every moment grew louder. The outburst of electrical fury was likely to take place momentarily, and that it would be unusually severe was shown by the precautions taken by the diamond makers. They attached a number of extra wires, and brought out some insulated, hard rubber platforms, on which they themselves stood. Tom and Mr. Jenks were much interested in watching this detail of the work, and sought to learn how each part of the process was done.
“I almost think we can make diamonds, Tom, when we get back to civilization,” whispered Mr. Jenks.
“I hope we can,” answered Tom, “and we can’t get back any too soon to suit me. I want to be in my airship again.”
“I don’t blame you. But look, they are getting ready to adjust the switch.”
The adventurers ceased their whispered talk, and eagerly watched the diamond makers. Folwell and Munson were hurrying to and fro in the big cave, attending to the adjustments of the machinery.
“On your insulated plates—all of you,” Folwell gave the order. “This is going to be a terrific storm. The gage shows twice the power we have ever used, and it’s creeping up every minute! We’ll have more diamonds than ever had before!”
“Yes, if the mountain isn’t destroyed,” added Mr. Parker, in a low voice. “I predict that it will be split from top to bottom!�
�
“Comforting,” thought Tom, grimly.
“I guess we’re all ready,” said Folwell, in a low tone to Munson. “We’d better get insulated ourselves. I’m going to throw the switch.”
He did so. A moment later the man who had before given warning of the storm came dashing in. He was very much excited.
“It’s awful!” he cried. “The lightning is striking all over! Big rocks are being split like logs of wood!”
“Well, it can’t do any damage in here,” said Munson. “We are well protected. Get on one of the plates,” and he motioned to one of the hard-rubber platforms that was not occupied. The roar and rumble of the storm outside had given place to short terrific crashes. In their small cave the adventurers could feel the solid ground shake.
A bluish light began dancing about the electrical wires. There was a smell of sulphur in the air. Crash after crash resounded outside. A flash of flame lit up the whole interior of the cave. It came from the copper switch.
“Something’s wrong with the insulation!” cried Munson.
“Don’t go near it!” yelled Folwell. “If you value your life, stand still!”
Hardly had he spoken than inside the cavern there sounded a report like that of a small cannon. A big ball of fire danced about the middle of the cave and then leaped on top of the steel box.
“This is a fearful storm,” cried Munson.
The adventurers in the cave did not know what to say or do. They were in deadly peril.
Suddenly there came a crash louder than any that had preceded it. The whole side of the cave where the switches were was a mass of bluish flame. Then came a ripping, tearing sound, and a tangle of wires and copper connections were thrown to the floor. At the same time the steel box, containing the materials from which diamonds were made, turned blue, and flames shot from it.
“It’s all up with us!” cried Munson. “Run for it, everybody! The wires are down, and this place will be an electric furnace in another minute!”
He leaped toward the exit from the cave.
“What about those fellows?” asked Folwell, indicating the place where Tom and the others had been tied.
The Tom Swift Megapack Page 88
