Dinny did not reply.
“Do you hear what my father said, Dinny?” cried Dick.
Still there was no answer.
“Why, father,” cried Dick; “he is not here!”
“Nonsense! absurd!” cried Mr Rogers. “Here, Dinny!” he shouted.
“Ny-ny-ny-ny!” came softly repeated like a mockery of his cry.
“Dinny!” cried Mr Rogers again; and once again the echo was the only answer.
“Dinny!” shouted Dick and Jack together, with all their might; but the echo was the only response; and a cold chill of horror began to run through the little party as they stood there.
“Poor fellow!” exclaimed Mr Rogers; “surely he has not sunk down fainting from fright. Oh, surely not; the idea is too horrible! Dinny!”
He shouted with all his might, and the boys took up the cry, but there was nothing but the echo to reply.