Had Dick fallen in love?
Certainly it began to look very much that way.
CHAPTER XX.
THE SLEEPING PLESIOSAURUS.
It was not until Dick and Clara had reached the Boiling Pot that the girl spoke again.
“Where is Charley?” she asked. “Why isn’t he here?”
Then Dick called a halt and told the whole story.
Doctor Dan had been waiting for them and he listened with close attention.
“It’s a bad business,” he said. “In all probability Charley has been sucked down into that underground river again, but as he went down once and escaped, he may have escaped a second time. Anyhow, let us hope so. Now, Dick, don’t you want to know how I came to be here, and where I got the head that scared your friend Mudd so?”
“Indeed I do,” replied Dick, “and I want you to understand that I don’t give up hope about Charley at all, but one thing is certain, we have got to go down into the cavern and see if we can find him.”
“Sure,” said Doctor Dan, “and we will find him. Now listen to me. There seem to be many ways into that cavern. I’ve been there. I found the Plesiosaurus’ head there. I came upon an opening in the rocks away over on the other side of the lake, near our camp, and, following it up, it took me into the cavern. I came out the same way you did. I crossed the underground river and, what is more, I struck your trail. I can take you back to camp the same way and we can hunt for Charley as we go.”