They sported about in the crystal water, apparently imbued with new life and strength.
“This is glorious!” Dick and the Yankee heard the man say, as he stood neck deep in the water under the spray of the fountain.
The dog answered with yelps of delight as he swam swiftly about and sported to his heart’s content.
“By Jove!” whispered Dick, to his companion, “the water does look inviting; it wouldn’t be a bad idea for us to take a swim.”
“I guess I don’t want any of it,” returned the Yankee. “That dod-rotted water don’t look nat’ral to my eyes. Look at that feller; he seems ter be gittin’ crazy—gosh! if he don’t!”
Reginald Lacy was acting rather queer for a man! He was cutting up all sorts of boyish antics and laughing like mad.
Presently he waded ashore, and, after washing the rags he had worn, put them on wet, as they were, and entered the passage again, calling the dog after him.
As soon as they had disappeared from view, Dick and Haypole came from behind the bowlder.
“Let’s follow him, Martin,” said Dick; “maybe he knows the way out of this place.”
“All right,” returned the Yankee. “It are about time we went back to ther place whar we left the professor an’ ther rest, anyhow.”