He quickly led the way to the place in the wall of the cave where the boys felt sure the secret door was hidden. With one foot he gave a sliding push to a triangular stone in the floor, and a moment later the secret opening was disclosed.
“No wonder,” exclaimed Billie, “that we couldn’t locate the door. We never thought that the key might be hidden in the floor. We only searched in the wall! What simpletons!”
Santiago smiled whimsically, but made no reply, as he led the way through the door.
“We will not need to close it now,” he explained, “as there is no one here whom we need fear.”
He took from a niche in the rock a small lantern, which he was about to light, when Donald drew from his pocket his electric searchlight.
“Take this,” he said, handing it to Santiago. “It is much better.”
Santiago took it in his hand and regarded it curiously.
“It is a strange instrument,” he said. “Is it safe to use it?”
“Why not?” queried Donald in mild surprise.
“It looks like magic. It might bring ill luck.”