They all turned to go into the cavern, when a startling and terrifying circumstance occurred.
A bright light suddenly burst forth from some unknown quarter above, and cast a dazzling glare over the whole scene. The rocks, the boats, the men, and even the pebbles on the beach were distinctly visible. At the same instant a rocket shot high into the air, taking a course out over the sea, and leaving a brilliant train of sparks.
The men uttered wild cries of amazement, and ran to and fro in confusion.Carlos’ surprise was equal to that of the smugglers, and he rushed forward near them.
The light above, which was evidently on the summit of the cliff, shone continuously, and with intense, steady brightness.
The three workers, the sentinel, and the man with the mask, all saw Carlos, and rushed upon him. They evidently believed that he had some hand in the startling phenomenon.
“Who are you? What do you want? How did youcome here?” were questions that showered upon him in mad, furious tones.
He was seized by the shoulders and arms, and held firmly.
“I know you, Geoffrey Haywood!” he shouted, in a wild frenzy. “You arch-plotter, you thief, you smuggler!”
“Curses upon you,” ejaculated the masked man. “Oh! it’s Carlos Conrad! Hold him, men! Do not let him escape. He’s a murderer! But where, in the name of all the devils of ill-luck, did he come from?”
“You may well ask,” exclaimed Carlos, “for I have been watching you. I have been at your heels for six months. And here you are, with your gang of smugglers.”