Then Frank, armed to the teeth, descended over the cliff into the defile.
He saw nothing of the brigands, and came to the conclusion that they had deserted the place.
This was a gratifying reflection, and he kept on with confidence.
He reached the mouth of the cavern in safety.
There was no sign of the brigands anywhere.
Frank now took his bearings carefully, with the idea of locating the possible connection of the pit with the cavern.
Then he entered the latter, and pushed on confidently from one passage to another.
For a long time he kept on thus.
At times he would pause and listen for some sound or sign of the missing men.
But always there remained the same dead and awful silence.