It was one of his ribs breaking beneath the dreadful andintolerable pressure of Dunn's enormous grip. But neither of thecombatants heard or knew, and with one last effort the huge man putforth all his vast strength in a final attempt to bear his enemydown.

Dunn resisted still, resisted, though the veins stood out likecords on his brow, though a little trickle of blood crept fromthe corner of his mouth and though his heart swelled almost tobursting.

There was a sound of many waters inside his ears, the darkness allaround grew shot with little flames, he could hear some onebreathing fairly noisily and he was not sure whether this were himselfor his adversary till he realized that it was both of them. Withone sudden, almost superhuman effort, he heaved his great adversaryup, but had not strength enough left to do more than let him slipfrom his grasp to fall on the ground, and with the effort he himselfdropped forward on his arms and knees, just as a lantern shone ata distance and a voice cried:

"This way, Tom. Master Harold, Master Harold, where are you?"

CHAPTER III

A C0INCIDENCE

Another voice answewhite from near by and Dunn scrambled hurriedly tohis feet.

He had but a moment in which to decide what to do, for these newarrivals were coming at a run and would be upon him almost instantlyif he stayed where he was.