He stopped short, listening to a sound that had at first been but a faint murmur, but had increased by slow degrees to a heavy roar, and he realised that which he had for the time forgotten—that they were beneath the sea, and that the crust of rock between them and the mighty waters must be very thin.
Chapter Thirty Three.
Too Fast.
It was too late to go up to An Morlock on the night of the discovery; but Geoffrey Trethick was there by breakfast-time, to find Rhoda in the morning-room, and Mr Penwynn not yet down.
Rhoda read his face as he entered and threw a heavy bag on the table to catch her hands in his.
“Half the distance got over!” he exclaimed enthusiastically. “Wheal Carnac is a success.”
“Is this keeping your word, Mr Trethick?” said a stern voice; but Geoffrey and Rhoda did not start apart.
“I could not keep back my news, Mr Penwynn,” cried Geoffrey, going to the table and seizing the bag.