"See here," said Van, suddenly; "there is a great deal of hubbub over there; let's walk out a little ways and see what is going on."
"That's it," returned Lank Edwards. "Them fellers can't see us as long as we don't carry a light."
The doctor and the professor being willing, Van led the way out into the open cavern.
He had scarcely done so when he gave a startled cry.
"What is the matter?" asked his three friends in a breath.
"I see Jack and Joe!" our hero exclaimed. "See! there they go. The dwarfs have cut them off from escape and surrounded them."
"We must get there as soon as possible," said Dr. Pestle, in a plucky tone of voice.
"Sure!" echoed Lank Edwards, at the same time tightening his belt in order to be ready for the fight that was sure to come.
The dwarfs who were conveying Clancy and his companion along were now running in the direction of the crowd where Van had seen Jack and Joe a moment before.