And this latter could have been stopped up with rocks in half an hour, so that nobody could get through it.
Handsome made the supposed Turner walk in front of him when they entered the fissure; and thus it was that they appeared on the opposite side of it; then Handsome took the lead.
Already the hoboes had erected cabins of slabs and of logs; and many of them were still at work building others; but as with one accord they ceased to work when they saw Handsome approaching with the old man; and they stared at him.
"Have you got another one, Handsome?" somebody called out to him; but Handsome deigned no reply, passing on in silence, and leading the way to a cabin that was larger and better than the others, and which stood exactly in the centre of the miniature valley.
Nick guessed that this was the temporary home of Black Madge, and he was, therefore, not at all surprised when she stepped out upon the porch in front of it.
She showed her white and even teeth, and smiled, in her own bold way, as Handsome approached her, with Nick in tow; and she asked, as soon as they were near enough:
"It is the old chap I have told you about, Madge," replied Handsome.
"Sent here to spy upon us, I suppose," she smiled scornfully. "Why didn't you shoot him at once instead of bringing him here?"
Before Handsome could reply, Nick wheeled upon him.
"Didn't I tell ye so?" he demanded, with a show of anger. "Didn't I tell ye so? Didn't I say that they be thinking that I was a spy; but you wouldn't have it so? Tell me that."
"I don't think he is a spy, Madge," said Handsome. "Remember that I have known him for a considerable time. And I have found him on the level."
"All right," she said. "That is, all right this time. Only now that he is here, he stays. Don't forget that."
"Nobody leaves this valley without my permission; not a single one."
"They are all pretty well satisfied that you mean that, Madge."
"Now, tell me what you brought the old man here for."
"Because he knows every inch of the galleries inside those caves. I want to know about them myself, and I want the old man to teach me about them. The time will come, Madge, when we will be mighty glad to know about those galleries."
"Possibly so," she replied. "Do as you like with him; only remember--nobody leaves this valley without my permission. When I get the men thoroughly organized and so they will do what I want them to do, then I will turn loose upon the world one of the best--and the worst--criminal organizations that has ever been heard of. Do what you please with the old man. He looks old enough to have been dead long ago."
