Frank was infinitely affronted. He stopped short and ceremoniously referred the matter to the lady.
"Are you coming, Lucia?" he asked.
"Yes, yes!" exclaimed the girl, grasping his arm, and pulling him forward. "Oh, don't stop! Let us hurry. Oh, get the light back!"
"Always the pluckiest ever!" said Frank.
They both were running. Jardine made another frantic effort to remonstrate and stop them, as he dashed after them.
"You don't know about that guide!" he called out. "We think he is——"
"I will tell him!" cried Lucia over her shoulder. "Don't stop him. He must get the light back!"
Seeing the utter hopelessness of his effort Jardine desisted, and retraced his steps to the mouth of the cave, where Ruth stood waiting. Lucia did not so much as cast a glance backward, but Frank paused once to look over his shoulder at the two in the shadow of the rocks.
"If you two are coming, follow the lantern—if not, you'll look after Ruth, Mr. Jardine? Thanks, much."
Jardine was very doubtful of his best course. If he and Ruth joined the party none of them might ever be heard of or seen again. Yet he realised the value of the strength in numbers. Still the fact that two were without the cave to report the disappearance of the others, should they not return after a reasonable interval, was a check on the possible malevolence and treachery of the guide.