The contracted opening was to the left, and he quickly made his way over the uneven floor to that point. "The water is beyond, and I hear something there."
George quietly moved forward. The light from the Professor's lamp glistened on the surface, and rippling waves were easily distinguished.
"What has become of the light we had on the perch?" was the Professor's startling inquiry.
The boys looked back. It was not there. Probably it had gone out.
"We must not go on until we have relighted it," was the Professor's caution.
George went back. The light from the Professor's lamp still threw its rays back to the ledge, which was not more than a hundred feet from their present location. "I can't find it. It is not here, and I know I put it on this ledge. Here is the piece of lime I put up against it."
Too startled for words, Harry drew back from the opening. Without further conversation he and the Professor retraced their steps toward George, who was now frantically searching every crevice.
"That is too bad. Are you sure this is the place?"
"I am positive of it."
The boys looked at the Professor. He knew they mentally asked whether they should proceed with the single light. "I think it would be unwise to go farther with one light only. If we can do no better we can make a half dozen lights, and light up the whole cave. I am just as much interested in it now as you are."