"No; are you sure?"
Owen was about to answer, when the door in question was swung aside, and the man entered, wearing a mask and carrying a bright torch.
"Well, boys," said he, "I see you didn't try to run away. I've been thinking the matter over, and have come to the conclusion that I'll let you go. Of course, you'll have to promise not to say anything about the cave."
"We'll promise that," said Owen.
"And you will have to keep the promise."
"Oh, we'll do that, too," replied Martin.
"Glad to see you so willing; but we'll settle the whole matter in the morning. Don't be afraid, I am not going to hurt you. Lie down and try to rest until I come back. The ground is a little hard, it is true, but it is dry; and there is no danger of catching cold."
He extinguished the few smouldering coals in the middle of the cave, where a fire had previously been kept burning to dry the skins. After again admonishing the boys not to move, he took his torch and departed, leaving them in utter darkness.