“Quien sabe.”
“Answer me quick, Alvarez.”
The brow of Captain Atkinson puckered angrily, his countenance grew dark.
“It is as I say, señor. What object would I have in lying to you? The boy climbed yonder cliff but this minute and has vanished.”
Although they would have liked to disbelieve the fellow’s story, and incredible as it seemed that a human being could have climbed that cliff, there was an unmistakable ring of sincerity in the man’s tone; it was impossible to make light of his tale.
“Boys, we have run against a blank wall,” spoke Captain Atkinson at length, with heavy anxiety in his tone.
“Do you think Jack is safe?” breathed Ralph.
“Heaven, in whose power he is, alone knows,” was the earnest rejoinder.