“What is it?” asked Tom. “What did you find?”
“Government bonds!” Clay almost shouted. “There are thousands of dollars’ worth in that package! Think of drowning with all that wealth in sight! Buck up, young fellow! You’ll soon be a rich man!”
“I was in hopes the lever opened the door!” Tom muttered. “I’m not interested in government bonds just now! What good would a million do us if they found us dead here on this floor?”
“You give me that tired feeling!” Clay exclaimed. “Keep on looking for the lever or key which opens the door! Listen! Do you know that voice?” he added. “That’s Captain Joe, and he’s telling us that he is on his way to the rescue! Clever old dog, that Captain Joe!”
The boys searched every square foot of the walls, even reaching up to the ceiling, but found nothing which would open the door. The water rose steadily, and the voices outside gradually grew fainter.
Now the water was up to their hips, now to their waists, now it came to their arm-pits, now Tom was obliged to stand up on an old chest to keep his head dry. All around them the building was falling, but nothing seemed to disturb the iron ceiling above.
The walls of the cellar were falling, too, in places, but they only crumpled down in great heaps of stones, leaving no opening through which the boys might make their way to the free air outside. It was now broad daylight outside, but the flashlights were still needed in the cellar.
“We’ve got about a minute more!” Clay admitted, as the water touched his chin. “We’re up against it at last! I’d like to leave a note for the boys, but it is too late to write one now. Hear Captain Joe out there? Say, old sport, I believe he is coming nearer! He surely is! Hurrah!”
Then the iron door swung open and, the water being somewhat higher in the den than in other parts of the basement, a strong current set toward the east, lowering the flood a foot or more where the boys stood.
First, they saw Captain Joe’s ugly head poking through the water which filled the doorway. Then Don’s face showed. However, there was a current setting toward the main basement from the den, and both the boy and the dog were forced back.