For a moment, the party on guard was stunned into silence. Then they all crowded forward, peering down into the tunnel and crying to Captain Murray to ascend. This he did, as soon as he noted from their cries that he had been recognized. And behind him came Jack.
“This is a pretty kettle of fish,” he cried, as he gained the floor and looked around, frowning.
“What do you mean?” asked Lieutenant Bracewell.
“Didn’t the rascals come out this way?”
“Not unless they oozed out,” said the other.
He and the others who had been on guard were bewildered at the question, and Bob interrupted with:
“Didn’t you find them in the house, Captain?”
But Captain Murray, ignoring his question, turned with decision and leaped down the steps into the tunnel.
“Come on, everybody,” he cried. “There’s no time to lose. They’re hiding out in the house somewhere.”
And he started running along the tunnel, flashing the rays of an electric pocket torch ahead of him. Not knowing what had occurred but willing to accept the fact that a chance for action lay ahead, Bracewell, Harincourt, the third young airman who had been in the group in the old ’dobe hut, and Bob, jostled each other for places in the line behind him. But Frank drew Jack aside to ask him what had occurred.