But where were the men?
Frank asked himself this question.
He examined the soft soil of the cave.
There were their footprints surely. They led away into a side passage, and Frank followed them.
He raised his voice and shouted repeatedly.
But the only answer that came back was a strange, weird echo, which repeated itself many times.
By the light of the torch Frank followed the trail.
In this manner he might in time have overtaken them.
But suddenly the trail came to an end. This was owing to a peculiar change in the soil.
The soft dirt was supplanted by gravel and ashes, and no footprint could be visible in them.