‪“I have it!” he cried.

‪“Well?”

‪“In my opinion this lake was once the abode of these crocodiles. The ancient rulers placed them there for a certain purpose.”

‪“What could it have been?”

‪“Well, supposing a man committed some crime. It may be that he was thrown into this place as a method of punishment, for the crocodiles to tear to pieces.”

‪“Indeed, I believe you are right, Mr. Reade,” cried Buckden, ‪“but what a number of victims they must have had.”

‪“For aught we know the bed of this lake may be paved with human skeletons.”

It was a grim, horrible thing to think of.

Both men shivered.

Then Tony reached over to pick up one of the skulls.