“My God!” he exclaimed. “I fear that is the end of poor Harding!”
He bent down over the edge of the pit and tried to fathom its depths. But all was pitchy darkness.
Then he shouted loudly:
“Harding! I say, answer me if you are alive!”
But no answer came back. All was the stillness of death.
The hollow sound which was returned seemed to indicate that the pit was of great depth. How deep it was impossible to guess.
What was to be done?
Frank was in a quandary. There was no easy solution of the problem. Then he bethought himself of an idea.
He called to Pomp, who brought a rope and a lantern.
This later Frank lit and then lowered it into the pit. Down it went, and suddenly disappeared from sight.