“I think you're a woman, and the bravest that ever lived!” he exclaimed vehemently. “Who but you could ever have gone through with me all that has happened? Who could be my mate and face the future as you're doing? Oh, if you only understood my estimate of you!
“But now let's get at those records again. Time's passing, and there must be still no end of things to do!”
He recovered his ax, and with another blow demolished the last fragment of the staple, so that by no possibility could the door catch again.
Then for the second time they penetrated the crypt and the tunnel and once more reached the alcove of the records.
“Beatrice!”
“What is it, Allan?”
“Look! Gone--all gone!”
“Gone? Why, what do you mean? They're--”
“Gone, I tell you! My God! Just a mass of rubbish, powder, dust--”
“But--but how--”