Part 35 (1/2)

The sound had grown in strength until now, though m.u.f.fled, it sounded through that part of the pa.s.sage still remaining open.

”It comes from this end. From behind that wall. But why should it come from there?”

”Does it matter? Val, do you suppose they could hear me if I pounded on the wall at this side?”

”You haven't anything heavy enough to pound with.”

”Yes, I have. This package thing that you found. It's quite heavy. Val, we've got to let them know we're here!”

She crawled away, moving with caution lest she bring on another slide.

That rea.s.suring _thud, thud_ still sounded. Then, after long minutes, Val heard the answering blow from their side. Three times Ricky struck before the rhythm of the digging was broken. Then there was silence followed by three sharp blows. They had heard!

Ricky beat a perfect tattoo in joy and was quickly answered. Then the _thud, thud_ began again, but this time the pace was quickened.

”They've heard! They're coming!” Ricky's voice shrilled until it became a scream. ”Val, we're found!”

A clod was loosened somewhere above them and crashed upon the wreckage.

Would the efforts of their rescuers bring on another slide?

”Be quiet, Ricky,” Val croaked a warning, ”it's still moving.”

Then there came the sharp clink of metal against stone. ”Val,” called Ricky, ”they're right against the wall now!”

”Come back here, away from it. We--we don't want you caught, too,” he answered her.

Obediently she crawled back to him and again he felt her hand close about his. The sound of metal grating against stubborn brick filled their pocket of safety. But as an ominous accompaniment came the soft hiss of earth sliding onto the wreckage. Which would win to them first, the rescuers or the second slide?

There was a vicious grinding noise from the walled end of the pa.s.sage. A moment later a blinding ray of light swung in, to focus upon them.

”Ricky! Val!”

Val was blinking stupidly at the light, but Ricky had presence of mind enough to answer.

”Here we are!”

”Look out,” Val roused enough to warn, ”the walls are unsafe!”

”We're coming through,” rang the answer out of the dark. ”Stand away!”

Now that they could see, Val realized for the first time the danger of their position. A jagged, water-rotted beam half covered with clay and sand lay across him, and beyond that was a ma.s.s of splintered wood and wet earth. A little sick, he looked up at Ricky. She was staring at the wreckage. Her eyes were black in a white, mud-smeared face.

”Val--Val!” His name came as the thinnest of whispers.

”It isn't as bad as it looks,” he said hurriedly. ”Something underneath must be supporting most of the weight or--or I wouldn't be here at all.”

”Val,” she repeated, and then, paying no heed to his frantic injunctions to keep away, she dug at earth and rotten wood with her hands. Using the long bundle clumsily wrapped in stained canvas, she levered a piece of beam out of the way so that she might get down on her knees and scoop up the sand and clay.

”Ricky! Val!” The light swung ahead as someone scrambled through the hole in the barrier wall. Then, when the ray held firm upon them, the headlong rush was checked for a long instant. ”Val!”