He was standing upon a pile of soft cushions. Above him he could see nothing but stone, just the same as the walls about.
But leading out of this curious chamber was a narrow passageway.
Barney started towards it, but at this moment his taper went out.
The Celt muttered something not very polite and was about to light it again, when he heard a creaking sound above, and two dark forms came hurtling down through the gloom and struck the cushions near him.
Barney’s eyes had become partly accustomed to the dim light, and a momentary flash of daylight as the stone above turned showed him the personnel of the intruders.
At first he had instinctively fancied them his companions Frank and Pomp.
But second thought taught him better judgment. Instinctively he shrunk back against the wall.
The two new-comers with exclamations in a peculiar tongue quickly picked themselves up.
Before Barney could fully recover from his amazement they had gone.
“Bejabers, I see it all now,” muttered the enlightened Irishman, “this is only a quare sort av a dure by which the omadhowns enther their undherground abode. Well, now, that’s quite clever, but howiver am I to git back agin with Misther Frank an’ ther naygur?”