"Duke, Duke!" cried Noel. "Where are you? Come quickly. There is someone here with a boat. They must have come to take us home."
Even in his own ears his voice had a strange hollow sound. From the dim recesses of the cave a faint echo seemed to mock him. There was no other response, and his words ended in a sob.
Presently curious sounds caused him to peep down into the cave below. He was in time to see a man's head appearing from the other side of the hole which communicated with the outer cave. Noel recognised the head. It was that of the big round-faced man who had squeezed him so unmercifully as he sat on the coach.
With a painful effort he dragged his unwieldy body through the opening, then pulled after him a short ladder, behind which appeared another man who wore a fur cap. He looked like a sailor and had small, narrow eyes which glanced furtively around as he entered the cave.
"What was it made that cry?" he asked. "I did not like it. It sounded wisht."
"Wisht!" echoed the other contemptuously. "It does not take much to frighten you Cornishmen with your signs and omens. You heard nothing but the screech of a gull. Bring the ladder here. We'll soon see if the old chap hides his gold in that hole up there."
[CHAPTER X.]
NOEL GUARDS THE SECRET.
NOEL crouched back trembling. He knew now that these men had not come as his friends. He glanced upwards and saw the plant flourishing over his head in the crevice it was put to screen. Oh! if only Duke were there! Duke was so fearless and always knew what to do.
"I'd better mount first while you hold the ladder," said the stout man.