Presently our hero soon stumbled across the opening to an old well.
“Hullo, this is dangerous!” he murmured. “It ought to be closed.”
A footstep sounded near at hand. He turned, and on the instant received a shove that hurled him backward into the opening!
For the minute Leo felt that his end must be at hand.
Down he went into the dark and deep well, with the dirt and brush on top of him.
Had he fallen to the rocky bottom he would most certainly have been killed.
But, fortunately, when less than ten feet had been passed, his clothing caught on some projecting rocks.
Instantly he grasped the rocks with his hands.
The dirt, falling on him, nearly choked him.
He steadied himself with difficulty and managed to kick himself clear from what was above.