[Illustration: THEY TIPTOED TOWARD THE ENTRANCE OF THE CAVE]
But Philippe had forgotten one thing. He had forgotten Trompke. And Trompke was not to be forgotten! The little dog lay chained to a rock.
Tom always took care to keep him tied. Trompke was an important member of that little group.
As the boy and girl neared the door, Trompke awoke. Dogs do not sleep as soundly as people. Trompke's brow wrinkled. He cocked his puzzled head on one side. His tail began to speak.
"Where are you going, my little master?" asked Trompke's tail.
But the children were at the door. They did not hear the tail language.
So Trompke had to use his mouth. He barked. He barked again.
Philippe clutched Zelie's hand and ran out of the cave.
[Illustration: PHILIPPE CLUTCHED ZELIE'S HAND]
But the first bark had awakened Tom. He was up like a jack rabbit. He cried out to them to stop. But they kept on running.
Tom was swift, and it was not long before he overtook them. Back to the cave he brought them. Philippe could see that he was very angry.
"Make ready to leave," he commanded Zelie.
Morning was in the sky now. Tom stood before Philippe, and his eyes flashed. But Philippe's eyes were steady.
"You are brave, eh?" sneered Tom. "Only brave men will spend a night in the cave. Well, my hero, where is the gold?"
[Illustration: BACK TO THE CAVE HE BROUGHT THEM]
Meanwhile a big touring car was driving along the road toward the cave. It was the car belonging to the two gentlemen who had taken Philippe to Antwerp.
When Papa Pomme had received the letter from Philippe he had immediately shown it to the gentlemen. They had been terribly worried about the boy and had tried in every way to help the poor parents.
When the two gentlemen read of Philippe's plan to capture Tom at the cave, they immediately told the police. Soon the big touring car with the two gentlemen and two policemen was on its way to the cave.
"This is the place," cried one of the officers.
The car stopped. The four men jumped out. With their guns drawn, they entered the cave.
They heard Tom laughing and saying, "Now, after I have beaten you, perhaps you will not try any more tricks. We shall leave for other lands, where you cannot escape so easily. We shall go to France and England and then----"