“Keep close behind me, Felicia,” whispered Merry. “Be courageous. I may have to leave you for a short time; but I will return as soon as possible.”
He had decided to conceal her in the secret passage while he endeavored to return to the prison chamber. The door of the passage he found to be slightly ajar. Swinging it open, he entered, with Felicia at his heels. Barely had he advanced ten feet into the passage before he felt himself suddenly clutched by a pair of strong hands.
“Keep still, Felicia!” called Frank, knowing she would be greatly frightened by the struggle.
Instantly the hold of these hands slackened and a joyous voice exclaimed in his ear:
“Frank! Frank! my brother, is it you?”
“Dick!” gasped Frank; “how did you get here?”
“We managed to pry open a hidden door which was disclosed when a part of the wall fell after you crept into that opening,” said Dick.
“Where is Brad?”
“That’s what I’d like to know. We separated to search for you. He was to meet me here. We agreed on a signal. When you entered the passage without giving the signal I thought you must be an enemy.”
“It’s up to us now,” said Merry, “to find Brad and get away from here in a hurry. We have a fine chance to do so. I can’t explain everything, but I will tell you later. Here is Felicia.”