“I wouldn’t go, really, sir,” protested Josh.
“You can stay behind, my man,” said Mr Temple.
“Then don’t take Master Dick, sir. You see he’s so young.”
“My son can stay outside if he likes,” said Mr Temple in a tone of voice that made Dick tighten himself up and fasten the lower, button of his jacket.
“There,” said Mr Temple as he closed his lanthorn and held it up; “now we shall see.”
He stepped in over the shelly sand which filled up the vacancies between the rocks that strewed the floor, and Dick stepped in after him.
Will turned and looked half-mockingly at Josh as he stepped in next.
“Oh! well, I can’t stand that,” growled Josh. “Here goes.”
He moistened both of his hands as if he were going to get a grip of some rope or spar, and then hurried in, leaving Arthur alone at the mouth of the zorn, peering in at the dancing light and the strange shadows cast upon the glistening stone of roof and wall.
“Shall I go in?” he said to himself. “I know Dick will laugh at me if I don’t.”