We were at One Eye's mercy at that moment, but the idiot appeared to be
much impressed by the manner in which we had pictured the sure and
sudden fate that would fall upon him if we suspected him of treachery.
The mystery of the place gripped us as we went forward. High above us
the stars looked as if they were floating sequins in a sea of dark blue.
But the stars were blotted out suddenly, and I drew Holman's attention
to the fact. The youngster got to his feet and groped around in the
gloom, while we halted till he made an investigation. It was impossible
to see the face of the half-witted guide to gain any information from
his gestures.
Holman stooped and whispered his finding to us. "We're in a covered
passageway," he murmured. "I can just touch the roof by standing on
tiptoe. As we're in the place we might as well walk instead of crawling;
we'll get to the end quicker."
Maru dragged One Eye to his feet, and we pushed on. The air of the place
was much sweeter than the atmosphere of the Cavern of Skulls. The
floor, instead of being covered with thick dust as we had found it in
the former place, was one of clean, smooth rock, and the walls were
perfectly dry.
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