"Hurry up, then. I have a feeling that every minute is valuable."
Meg led off at once, Jack and Mont following first, with Farmer Farrell close behind, and Deb helped along by the hired man, who lagged considerably, having no desire to expose himself to possible harm.
"'Taint very pleasant," said Meg, as they journeyed over rocks and stumps, and through a copse of thick undergrowth, and then over a shallow stream.
Quarter of a mile brought them to a ravine, near the center of the island.
"Here we are!" exclaimed the young girl. "There's the mouth of the cave."
She pointed to a huge rock, split directly in the center. Without an instant's hesitation, Jack entered, followed by the rest.
Bang!
A pistol shot rang out ahead!
"They've shot him, sure?" exclaimed the young machinist, darting forward.
A turn in the passage brought him to a small square chamber hollowed out of the rock, and furnished with a table and two chairs.