Part 49 (2/2)

The result was that the contents of the basket were spread between the down a an to return, and a goodthe orous part

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

Aleck ate heartily, for the state of affairs began to look bright, but as he played his part his eyes were busy, and he noted that the beautiful effect of light which carew less and less striking till the colour had nearly faded out, while the water had evidently risen a good deal in the long canal-like pool, and was still rising, and where the cavern's weird configuration had in one part appeared through a diht all was black darkness

There had been a little talking during the consumption of the roup The sler had proceeded to fill a black pipe which he had lit at the lanthorn, and then drawn back a little, leaving the two youths to themselves; but very little was said, conversation in theto be impossible

The pipe was s out the hot ashes, the sen'lemen,” he said; ”I think we understand one another a bit nohichto trust ht, then Of course, all I want to do is to get safe away so as to bring back the key of theoing to give me till to-morrow about this time before you coht,” cried Aleck, impetuously

”Don't see as it's much of a horrible hole, master,” said the ood roof over your heads I've slept here tiies Wust thing I ever see here was a seal, which co about; and he did scare ain, gentle back There's the lanthorn, and there's a box yonder with plenty of candles, and a tinder-box with flint, steel, and matches, so you never need be in the dark Plenty of bread and bacon, cheese, and butter too, so you'll be all right; so there's no call to say nouppards to try if I can find out what's going on outside I shall keep co home has come, and then I shall run off and you'll wait till I come back”

”Very well,” said Aleck, who found that he had all the talking to do, and after a ti now Say good luck to ood luck to you! Be as quick as you can But what are you going to do about a light?”

”What for?” said theslopes”

The so about this place, squire There arn't an inch I don't know by heart”

”I suppose not,” said Aleck, thoughtfully ”But, look here; what about that place?”

”What about it, sir?”

”The getting up Of course it was easy enough to slide down, but how about getting up?”

”Didn't I tell you? No, of course, I didn't Look here, sir; it's all smooth in the middle, but if you keep close up to the left you'll find nicks cut in the stone just big enough for your toes, and as close together as steps You'll find it easy enough”

”I understand,” said Aleck, and the nextsteps, for the low ed into intense black darkness But frouration of the place the lad was pretty well able to trace the sler by his footsteps, till all at once there was a faint rustling, and then the gloom around was made more impressive by the silence which endured for a couple of , scraping sound

”What's that?” asked the midshi+pman, excitedly

Aleck explained that it was evidently the noise ainst the stone, as he ascended the zigzag crack to the surface

This lasted for about a minute, to be succeeded by a peculiar harsh noise as of stone being drawn upon stone, after which there was another peculiar sound, also in soainst stone; but Aleck could give no explanation to his co puzzled himself Another stone seeht be soes, though why he should have thought that he could not have explained

Probably not ether before the last faint sound had died completely away, and then Aleck found hiuration of the natural staircase by which ascent could be made and exit found For it never occurred to the lad that he was in any way breaking the confidence placed in hi the prisoner as familiar with the peculiarities of the cavern as he was hie adventure, had asked him about the shape and position of his prison, and he had explained what he knew That was all