Doubtless it was the electric light upon Von Bulow’s helmet.
But it was visible only a brief moment.
Then it disappeared.
The captain leaned yet further over the verge.
Unfortunate move! Suddenly and without warning he lost his balance! Over the edge like a flash he went.
Down into the abyss he sank; but it was not like falling through air.
He alighted without any serious jar upon a bed of sand fully fifty feet below. He was at the bottom of the pit.
The helmet light made visible objects near at hand.
The captain recovered himself and looked about him.
He saw white walls of coral and long cavernous passages leading in all directions.