To this William Jones at first objected, but Monk was firm.
“Who knows,” said he, “but there may be other things having reference to the child? I mean to see for myself. Now, William Jones.”
So William Jones, seeing that resistance would be useless, promised to conduct his friend to the cave; and after a good deal of hesitation and of continued show of unwillingness on William Jones’s part, the two men started off.
When they drew near to the cave, William Jones gave a cry, and pointed to the sand. Looking down, Monk clearly saw footprints. They followed them, and found that they led right to the mouth of the cave.
“It’s standing open!” cried William Jones, as he pointed down with trembling finger.
“Follow me!” said Monk, crawling down into the hole.
Jones followed in terror.
As he reached the path below, he heard a sharp cry, and looking down saw, by the dim light of a candle stuck in the wall, Brinkley struggling helplessly in the powerful grip of Monk. He had been sprung upon from behind, and was helpless through a sort of garotte.
Horrified and trembling, William Jones was rooted to his place.
Suddenly he saw the young man fall backward lifeless, and, with one last gasp, lie perfectly still. Monk stooped over him, and looked into his face.