Within that confined space, the heat became that of a fiery furnace, the pungent smoke became overpowering.
"We must get back or we shall be overcome," gasped Mr. Haydon, and they climbed the steep steps of stone.
"Who's here?" snapped Mr. Haydon, as they turned the last bend. Jack looked under his father's arm.
"It's the woman," he gasped, for the pungent smoke had almost stopped his breath. "She's come back. Where has she been?"
Now the woman's voice came to them calling earnestly, "Sahib, sahib, sahib!" she cried.
Jack and his father leapt into the room, where the wider space, though dim with smoke, made the air taste wonderfully fresh and sweet after the choking passage.
The woman at once sprang at Mr. Haydon and seized his arm, talking earnestly. As she spoke, the elder man's face lighted up with a great hope.
"Jack! Jack!" he cried. "Come on! come on! Here's a wonderful chance turned up."
Jack asked no questions. He only followed as the other two hurried for the hole which led to the secret chamber. The woman went swiftly down the teak ladder, and the other two followed. At the foot of the ladder a torch, freshly lighted, was thrust into a wide crack between two stones, and stood there burning steadily. The woman caught it up and led the way. They passed the heap of skeletons, and went to the far corner, where a very low, small door stood open. It had been closed when Jack looked into the chamber, and so he had been able to gain no idea of the fashion in which the woman had left the place.
The woman shot through the opening, and the light of her torch showed that she had entered a low tunnel not more than four feet in height and about the same in width.