They hurried to me and as quickly as they could started to bring me around.
"Where's Elaine?" asked the strange figure of the hermit.
Weakly, I was able only to point to the panel. But it was enough. The soldiers understood. They dashed for it, looking for a button or an opening. Finding neither, they started to bang on it and batter it in with the butts of their guns.
It was only seconds before it was splintered to kindling. There was the passage. Instantly, Woodward, the hermit, and the rest plunged into it utterly regardless of danger. On through the tunnel they went until at last they came, unmolested, to the end. There they paused to look about.
The hermit pointed to the ground. Clearly there were footprints, leading to the shore. They followed them on down to the beach.
"Look!" pointed the hermit.
Off in the water they could now see the most curious sights. Four strangely helmeted creatures were wading out, each like a huge octopus-head, without tentacles.
Only a few seconds before, Del Mar and his companions, carrying Elaine had emerged from the secret entrance of the tunnel and had dashed for the shore of the promontory.
Stopping only an instant to consider what was to be done, Del Mar had seen some one else emerge from the tunnel.
"Come—we must get down there quickly," he shouted, hurriedly issuing orders, as all three, carrying Elaine, waded out into the water.