Part 24 (1/2)

The two lads stood with the lanthorn held up, staring at the heap, and then at the rusty hinged door, and lastly at one another.

”Do you believe in enchantment, Fred?” said Scarlett, at last.

”No, not a bit. Enchantment, and witches, and goblins, and all those sort of things, are nothing but stuff, father says.”

”But isn't it curious that we should have found ourselves here? It is the same, isn't it?”

”I think so. Yes, that's the way into the house,” said Fred, staring along the dark pa.s.sage. ”But I don't care whether it is or whether it isn't. My legs are so wet that I mean to get out as soon as I can.”

Scarlett held the lanthorn up again, and had one more good look round.

Then, without a word, he turned, descended the steps into the water, and began to wade back.

”Oh, I say, it is wet!” grumbled Fred, as he followed the lanthorn, watching their grotesque shadows on the wall, the flas.h.i.+ng of the light on the water, and the glimmering on the damp walls.

Neither of the lads spoke now as they waded on, for each was trying to puzzle out the problem of how it was that they should have journeyed backward; but no light came.

”I shall make it out,” said Fred, ”as soon as we get in the suns.h.i.+ne again. Go on a bit faster, Scar.”

But there was no temptation to go faster, and the slow wading was continued, till a glimmering of light cheered them; and then quicker progress was made, for the opening seemed to send down more and more light as they approached, till they could see quite a fringe of roots, which had forced their way through the arch of rugged stones, and at last make out how the roof of the pa.s.sage had been driven in by the fall of the tree.

”Oh! there is something now,” cried Scarlett, starting.

”What is it?”

”Something did touch my leg.”

”Kick it!” cried Fred, huskily. ”Look out, Scar! it's swimming towards you. Mind, mind!”

The boy had raised up his foot to kick, but placed it down again, for the terror proved to be a piece of rotten wood floating on the surface.

”How easy it is to be frightened!” said Scarlett, drawing a long breath, as they stood once more at the opening.

”Yes, far too easy,” grumbled Fred. ”I wish it wasn't. Shall I go up first, or will you?”

”Isn't it a pity to go up without finding the way?” said Scarlett, hesitatingly.

”It does seem to be; but I've had enough of it. Let's go up now.”

”Shall we? I know we shall want to come down again.”

”Yes,” said Fred, hesitating; ”I suppose we shall. Do you feel to mind it so much now?”

”I don't think so.”

”Let's go on, then.”

”Shall we, Fred?”

”Yes; didn't I say so?” cried Fred, crossly. ”Go on; you've got the light.”