"Is that you, Mr. Penton?" he asked, turning and peering into the darkness.
There was no reply.
"I must be getting the creeps," said Steve, beginning to whistle as he hauled in the line. "Wha—what—here, let go of me. Let——"
Some invisible force behind had put a sudden pressure upon Steve Rush. He was being rapidly shoved toward the edge of the platform.
All at once Steve felt the flooring drop from beneath his feet; and, without making a sound, the lad plunged over into the darkness.
A loud splash followed, then all was still.
CHAPTER XXI
THE SEARCH FOR THE MISSING BOY