“It is footsteps!” cried Sahwah positively. “They’re coming nearer! Listen!”
The tapping noise increased until it became without a doubt the sound of a footfall drawing nearer along the passage on the other side of the cave.
“It’s Sherry looking for us; he’s found the passage!” shrieked Sahwah, “or maybe it’s Hercules!”
“Yell, everybody!” commanded Justice, “and let him know where we are.”
They set up a perfectly ear-splitting shout, and as the echoes died away they heard the snap of the lock on the other side of the door. Slim, who was nearest, flung himself upon the door handle and in another instant the door yielded under his hand and swung inward.
“Sherry!” they shouted, and crowded out into the passage, all talking at once.
“Sherry! Sherry! Where are you?” Sahwah called, suddenly aware that no one had answered them. Justice and the Captain sprang their flashlights and looked about them in astonishment. There was no one in the passage beside themselves.
Who had unfastened the latch and let them out?
Sahwah and Katherine suddenly gripped each other in terror, while the cold chills ran down their spines. The same thought of a supernatural agency had come into the mind of each. Then they both laughed at the absurdity of it.
“It couldn’t have been a ghost,” declared Katherine flatly. “Ghosts don’t make any noise when they walk.”