Jack ran across to the spot where the square black hole yawned in the floor.
"It's all dark down here," he cried in surprise. "Has the torch gone out? But why has she not come up?"
Near at hand lay a large lock of dried grass, part of a bundle which the woman herself had gathered and brought up on their first entrance.
Jack caught it up, struck a match, and thrust the burning vesta into it. In an instant the tuft of grass was ablaze, and he flung it into the secret chamber. It dropped to the floor, and the flame shot up brightly, lighting the little room from corner to corner, from roof to floor.
"She's gone!" gasped Jack in utter amazement "She's gone!" Save for the skeletons, the little room was completely empty. There was not the faintest sign of the native woman. She had disappeared absolutely and entirely.
CHAPTER XL.
THE BATTLE ON THE STAIRS.
Jack was about to spring down the ladder and see what had become of their companion, when a low cry of warning burst from his father's lips. The elder man had been watching the enemy, and now he called out, "They are coming! they are coming!"