“Well, this is pleasant,” spoke Andy, in his natural tones, and, to the surprise of all there was no echo. It was only when a person whispered or spoke low that the sound was heard. After that they talked naturally.
“You stay here, and Andy and I will go up front and see what there is,” said Mr. Henderson. “Be on your guard, and if you hear us coming back in a hurry, run!”
It was with no little feeling of nervousness that the boys, Bill, Tom and Washington watched the two men move off in the darkness. They could hear their footsteps on the stone flags and could dimly see them.
“They must be almost to the altar by this time,” said Mark, after a long pause.
Hardly had he spoken than there came a loud sound from where Mr. Henderson and Andy had gone. It was as if some giant wings were beating the air. Then came shrill cries and the voice of the old hunter could be heard calling:
“Kneel down, Professor! Let me get a shot at the brute!”
Those waiting in the rear of the temple huddled closer together. What terrible beast could have been aroused?
The next instant the place seemed illuminated as if by a lightning flash, and a sound as of a thousand thunder claps resounded.
“I think I winged him!” cried Andy’s voice, and the boys knew he had fired at something.
Then there came a crash, and from the roof of the old temple a dozen stones toppled off to one side, letting in a flood of colored light.