The same manipulation was repeated around the sides of the apartment. The only portion that gave the hollow response was in the corner where he had observed it before.
"It is here," he concluded, striking another match.
Eureka! he had found it. There were the divisions, so plainly marked that every one of the fugitives must have seen them before but for the dim light in the room. They had pressed against the door many times, but it was less yielding than the one which let them into the inner apartment.
It was not until he had pushed against it with all his might, that it slowly swung inward, the draught of air extinguishing the match he had just lighted. Igniting another, he shaded it with his hand and peered into the recess beyond.
At the bottom of the heavy door were three steps, leading down into the darkness. The draught that blew inward proved that it was connected with the outside world, and the surgeon had no doubt that the underground passage extended in a direct line to the river.
He hastened back to his friends with the announcement.
"If we had only known that last night," said Mr. Hildreth, "we might have gone right out of the temple.
"And right into an ambush."
"We may do that as it is, for it is difficult to understand why Wana Affghar has withdrawn his guard."
"They may not have told him."