“What’s the matter?”
Dick had heard the sound of running water rising from almost directly beneath his feet, and a cold breath of air came up and smote him in the face.
“Keep your revolver ready for use,” he said. “I’m going to light a candle.”
A moment later he struck a match and soon lighted a candle, which he had brought in his pocket, wrapped in a paper.
The light thus provided showed the boys that it was a fortunate thing that Dick had halted just as he did. Barely a step before him the flooring had rotted and fallen away, leaving a great opening down to the bed of the stream below.
“I’ll keep this candle going now,” decided Dick.
The investigation of that portion of the mill did not consume much time, and it was productive of nothing but disappointment.
“It’s a whole lot singular!” growled the Texan. “Partner, we know somebody was here a short time ago, for we heard the galoot groan and yell.”
“There must still be a part of the building we have not searched,” said Dick.
There was. They found a door leading from the hall into a short and narrow passage, which was blocked by still another door. The second door was securely fastened.