“If we can hear the water splashing above us, our voices might carry!” Penny reasoned. “Let’s cry out for help. Now, together!”
They shouted over and over until their voices failed them. Then, completely discouraged, they sagged down on the stairway to rest.
“Nothing went as I planned,” Penny said dismally. “I really thought the gold was hidden in this vault. If the men had found it, they would have spent hours removing the loot to their boat. Jerry would have come with the police and everything would have been all right.”
Grant Atherwald was not listening to the girl’s words. He struggled to his feet, pressing his ear against the trapdoor.
“The water has stopped running!”
“Are you sure?” Penny sprang up and stood beside him, listening.
“Yes, and I hear voices!”
With one accord, they shouted for help. Could it be imagination or did they hear an answering cry? As they repeated their frantic call, there was a scraping on the stone above their heads.
“Stand away,” ordered a muffled voice.
Before Penny and the bridegroom could obey, the great door lifted. A deluge of water poured in, its force nearly washing them from the steps. But in another moment the passage was clear and they stumbled up through the rectangular opening.