Jim switched on the headlights Babe had told him about and slowed the car with a burst of the forward jet. Slowly the car entered the enchanted cavern. The darkness seemed to make Jim’s ears keener. Presently there came to him the mysterious sighs and groans that had given the tunnel its name. Although he knew this was caused by wind whistling through the opening and the shifting of rock strata, it nevertheless caused chills to run up his spine.
All at once an unexpected loud buzz from the radio set shocked him into an involuntary cry. As his nerves calmed, he switched on the radio and spoke into the mike, “Yes?”
“Let me speak to Steward Hogan,” came a brisk voice that Jim knew could belong only to Captain Coppard.
“Yes, sir,” Jim replied.
He opened the door of the cabin and called Babe. Jim saw a flashlight advance toward him down the dark aisle.
“It’s Captain Coppard,” Jim whispered.
“Hogan speaking,” Babe said into the mike.
“Steward,” the chief officer of the Hercules said, “who is the young man with you?”
Jim’s heart seemed to give a final quiver and go dead inside of him.
“Jim Vance, sir,” Babe answered.