“What causes the odor?” Kathleen asked, sniffing.
“Imprisoned air. It’s gradually clearing out. Like as not it comes from decaying vegetation—”
“Listen!” cried Judy tensely.
“The boy with the flute!” exclaimed Kathleen in awe.
Those in the room had frozen to attention. From the great gaping hole there issued forth a musical note, for all the world like the music of a flute.
Then there came a series of taps as if someone might be thumping a stick on hard rock.
“That’s a man-made sound!” cried Captain Hager. “Bart’s down there! He’s trying to signal us!”
“We’ll get him out!” shouted a forest ranger. “Any volunteers to go down into the hole?”
Arthur Wentz stepped forward. Rope was tied about his waist, and carefully he was lowered until his feet touched solid flooring.
For awhile those above could see the descending light, then it vanished. They paid out more and more rope until the coil was nearly exhausted.