It was a frightful moment for them.
What the distance was to the bottom of the shaft they could only guess.
It was in reality a thousand feet.
Down they were slowly lowered.
The windlass creaked above them, the light of day went out, and it seemed truly as if they were going out of the world forever.
A mocking voice came down the shaft.
“I hope you will find it pleasant down there, senors. Many good men have gone there before you, and you will find their bones. You can know your fate now. Nobody will ever find you down there, for the existence of this shaft is known to no one but Costello and his men.”
Frank Reade, Jr., was ordinarily as brave as a lion.
But it seemed at that moment as if he must yield to despair.
“Death!” he muttered, with white lips. “Why should I fear it, and yet I cannot face it.”