He was more than delighted to think that he had been able to do this.
The ruse suggested by Frank Reade, Jr., had succeeded beyond his most sanguine expectations.
“If I can only find a hiding place about here,” he muttered, “I shall be sure to give them a permanent slip.”
So he rushed on, and gave no heed to the nature of the ground under his feet.
Then he stepped unsuspectingly upon what seemed like a mere network of vines.
But it masked a trap; for he felt the earth give way under his feet, and he went down like a shot.
His hands were tied, else it was possible that he might have saved himself by clutching something in his descent.
As it was, he was jolted and jarred into half insensibility by contact with the winding walls of the passage.
Down, down he went, and experienced a shock, and for a moment was partly insensible.
When he recovered himself he was in pitchy darkness. The air about him was damp and foul.