"He must be here else why has this cave been filled, and so recently. I will descend and ascertain."
William sprang into the cave. He had nothing with which to strike a light, but in a moment he said:
"There are two bodies here. I will pass them out, and by the moonlight we can examine their features."
William lifted the bodies toward the entrance, and as he did so he said:
"One of them has been here a long time, as the decomposition indicates. Lay them on the ground, Johnson, and I will search farther!"
After a moment's pause, Johnson asked:
"Do you find anything else?"
"No—nothing!"
"Then come out."
William left the cave, and as he did so, Johnson grasped him by the arm, and asked: