I do not know what led us; whether a remorseful Providence, who
suddenly decided that we had been played with long enough, or the
mere animal instinct of direction, or blind luck. But so fast did
we go that it seemed to me we had left the great cavern scarcely
a minute behind us when I suddenly saw the steps of a steep
stairway leading down from an opening on our right.
How my heart leaped then! Harry uttered a hoarse cry of
exultation. The next instant we were dashing headlong down the
steps, avoiding a fall by I know not what miracle. And there
before us was the entrance to the tunnel.
I held Harry back, almost shouting: "You stay here; guard the
entrance. I'll get her."
"No," he cried, pushing forward. "I can't stay."
"Fool!" I cried, dashing him back. "We would be caught like rats
in a trap. Defend that entrance--with your life!"
I saw him hesitate, and, knowing that he would obey, I dashed
forward into the tunnel. When nearly to its end I made a misstep
on the uneven ground and precipitated myself against the wall. A
sharp pain shot through my left shoulder, but at the time I was
scarcely conscious of it as I picked myself up and leaped
forward.
Pages:
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385