Finally Frank was forced to abandon all hope of finding Barney.
He next turned his attention to the problem of finding his way out of the place himself.
Once he should succeed in doing this and in joining his friends there was no doubt but that he could devise a way to return and make a successful quest for Barney.
With this resolution uppermost in his breast he kept on.
Suddenly a strange sound burst upon his hearing.
It was a distant sound like the mumbling of voices and gave Frank a queer thrill of comprehension.
In an instant he realized that he had reached a point in close proximity to those who were searching for him.
With this belief Frank cautiously came to a halt.
As he did so he heard a slight crunching noise in his rear.
Involuntarily he turned about.