“And if they retreat?” asked Harry.
“They will either take to flight,” responded Laspar, “or they will prepare for a mass attack upon this lodge. To do so, they will have to cross the lake. By that time, we will be ready for them.”
“But suppose they come through the tunnel!” exclaimed Rex. “They’ll arrive here sooner if they do.”
“No sooner than my men,” asserted Laspar. “I talked with Hoxon, my lumber camp superintendent. He is coming with a picked crew, by car. We can expect them any minute.”
“And what’s our step then?” put in Vic.
“To wait,” decided Laspar. “To guard this lodge at all cost. It is the focal point. We shall be prepared for attack either from below or from outside.”
“How about scouring the countryside?” asked Rex. “Those rogues may have taken to flight.”
“We shall hold council regarding that,” replied Laspar. “We must not make the mistake of dividing our force. By keeping ourselves concentrated, we shall be able to resist attack. If our enemies have become fugitives, it will be simple enough to capture them.”
“How?”
“Through the law. All this land is forest and wilderness. The nearest railroad is a dozen miles away. There are no through highways that can not be blocked. I shall notify Sheriff Hawlings by telephone. He will form a posse and pass the word to other counties.
“Bands of men will close in upon the terrain. Jubal, Firth, Trebold — all with them — will be trapped. The mine shafts, when examined, will be definite proof of crookedness on the part of these criminals.
“The work of capture rightfully belongs to the law. We have no right to wage battle except in self-defense. That is why I propose that we should stay close to this lodge. We can hold it as a fortress. If we are attacked, we can shoot to kill.”
Vic Marquette stepped over and clapped Laspar on the shoulder. The bearded operative turned to Rex and Harry. Vic spoke with commendation.
“Here’s a man,” he told his friends, “who uses headwork when he plans. Mr. Laspar has the right idea. Young chaps like you should listen to him. Even I can profit by his advice.
“We’ve only got our own word that Jubal and Trebold are in league. Even the fact that I’m a government man doesn’t give me every privilege. We can’t swear that it was Jubal who fired from the entrance of the Quest mine.
“We can testify, of course, that Trebold aimed shots at us. But when he opened fire, you, Vincent, and I were in a passage that belonged to the Chalice mine. We were lucky to get through to this lodge; now that we’re here, we’d better stay.
“We’re in the right at present. We can fight and so can Mr. Laspar’s men, if we are attacked. It’s our business to stay here, where we can’t be anything but right. We’ve got enough of a case against these crooks to demand their arrest. It’s the sheriff’s job to get them.”
Laspar nodded. He smiled at Vic’s support.
“When they’re rounded up,” concluded Vic, “we tell our story. I can state that I was bribed to commit murder. You two can testify that you overheard the plot. Then the mines can be investigated. The rights of the Quest mine will be upheld. The crooks connected with the Chalice mine will be due for State and Federal trial.”
BOTH Harry and Rex were impressed by Vic Marquette’s sagacity. At the same time, they realized that the Secret Service man had merely echoed Cortland Laspar’s statements. To the lumber magnate belonged the real credit for showing the way to a successful and complete conclusion.
A lull followed Vic Marquette’s emphatic statements. In that pause, all listened, tensely wondering if attackers had yet arrived in the cellar. All remained silent below. Cortland Laspar smiled in satisfaction.
“Three minutes more will bring my men,” declared the lumber man. “Even if those raiders do come through, it will take them longer than that to smash through the metal-sheathed door at the top of the cellar stairway. Moreover, there are four of us, all armed. We have nothing to fear.
“We can afford to be tranquil. Our plan is complete. I shall take advantage of these few minutes to put in that call to Sheriff Hawlings. The forces of the law will have time to function; but the sooner they begin, the better.
“Remain here while I make the call. If Hoxon arrives, explain matters to him and tell him to await my orders. He is likely to appear while I am still at the telephone.”
Laspar walked out into the hall, toward the rear of the lodge. Harry and Rex seated themselves. Vic followed suit.
They chatted quietly for another minute; then became alert as they heard a sound in front of the lodge.
Gleaming lights showed as they peered toward the windows. They caught the rumble of motors.
Two cars were pulling up to the steps of the lodge. Cortland Laspar had estimated the time correctly; reinforcements had arrived from the lumber camp. Hoxon and his men were on hand to aid in the defense of the lodge.
CHAPTER XIX. RIFLES TAKE CONTROL
HARRY VINCENT and his two companions were on their feet when footsteps sounded from Laspar’s verandah. Though they felt positive that these were the lumber magnate’s men, they wanted to be sure that they were right. Grimly, they placed hands to gun handles.
Cortland Laspar stepped into view at the same moment. He had evidently completed his telephone call; he had heard the arrival of the automobiles. Coming through from the rear of the lodge, he was the first to spy the men beyond the screen door of the verandah.
“Hoxon!” exclaimed Laspar, in elation. “Good work! We’ve been waiting anxiously. Come in at once.”
Hoxon stepped through the door. The superintendent was a brawny fellow, clad in khaki and wearing leather puttees. Others followed him, a squad of four, all attired in similar fashion. Every man was a husky. Revolvers showed in hipped holsters.
“What’s up, Mr. Laspar?” inquired Hoxon, eyeing Harry and Rex, then Vic Marquette. “You told me you expected trouble.”
“Not from these gentlemen,” chuckled Laspar. “They are friends: Rex Brodford, Harry Vincent, and—”
“Old Absalom,” put in Hoxon.
“No,” laughed Laspar, “you’re wrong there, Hoxon. This man is Mr. Marquette, of the Secret Service. Old Absalom’s substitute.”
“Whiskers and all,” growled Vic, “and I’ll be glad when I can take a shave. That will be mighty quick, too. I don’t need this shrubbery any longer, now that the Chalice mine has been proven phony.”
Hoxon looked puzzled. Laspar gave him a brief explanation. Hoxon nodded, and his four men did the same.
“Now I know why you wanted a picked crew,” stated the leader from the lumber camp. “Well, I brought along the four men that we can count on in a job like this. What’s the next step, Mr. Laspar?”
“To guard this lodge,” replied the lumber magnate. “There is still a possibility of an attack from the cellar, but it seems more likely that the trouble will come from outside. Therefore, I intend to post you and your men about the grounds.”
“While we stay inside?” asked Rex.
“Yes,” stated Laspar. “After all, this is my property. I am responsible for your protection. With four of us in here, guarded by a ring of competent sentinels, we can concentrate our own efforts on any inside attack.”
“If a large force comes through by the tunnel, we can call in Hoxon and his men. That suits you, Hoxon?”
The superintendent nodded.
“The longer the range, the better the fight,” decided Laspar. He pointed to the rifle rack in the corner.
“There are half a dozen Winchesters there, Hoxon. The ammunition is in the case beyond. Pick your weapons and load up.”