During the wait Holman and I made short trips into the
darkness, but we were careful that we did not get out of the hearing of
the two girls, who called at intervals so that we would be able to find
our way back. The place was awe-inspiring. Its size could only be
guessed at. Stones that were flung in a certain direction where the
floor sloped gradually downward could be heard rolling for many minutes
after they left our hands.
We guessed that it was early morning when we heard from Leith. A blazing
torch illuminated a round hole about seventy feet above our heads, and
Holman and I immediately remained quiet so that the big scoundrel would
be in ignorance of the reunion. There was no possibility of the
torchlight making our presence known. It would take a score of torches
to enable him to see us.
Leith thrust his head over the edge of the hole while Soma held the
torch, and, with a coarse laugh, the ruffian inquired if his victims had
changed their minds.
"No, we have not," replied the Professor, his thin, quavering voice
sounding strangely weak after the deep-throated bellow of the bully on
top.
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