“Only a badly scared rat,” laughed Bob.
“I’ll dent him some if he comes this way,” declared Sam.
Their voices and footfalls echoed weirdly through the dungeon-like cellar.
“What a nerve he had, to come down here alone,” said Tom, awesomely.
“I told you there was something in that lad,” laughed Dave.
“But most of it ought to be beaten out with a flat piece of board,” returned Dick.
They came to an abrupt stop at the entrance to the passageway. Bob, holding his lantern aloft, sent its rays flashing upon musty walls, thickly festooned in places with cobwebs.
“Whew! It’s kind o’ unearthly in there,” said Cranny, peering over his shoulder.
“I should say rather too earthly, Cranny,” grinned Bob.
“This is enough to smother a fellow, too,” added Tom, with a sniff of disgust.