The lamp was lit instantly, and without a moment's delay Guy led the party at full speed down the corridor until the descent was reached.
"Now hurry down, all of you," he cried. "You have a flask of powder about you, Canaris. Give it to me."
"What are you going to do, Chutney?" asked Melton in alarm.
"Put an end to all pursuit," was the stern reply; and, seizing the flask, he placed it on the ground, and pouring a little powder on a strip of linen torn from the lining of his blouse, he deftly rolled a fuse and inserted one end in the mouth of the flask.
His intentions were apparent. The roof and walls of the passage were of loose earth and stone. A blast would bring them down in an avalanche.
Canaris attempted to expostulate, but Guy drove them all down the slope and applied a match to the fuse.
It was high time, for up the passage shone the gleam of torches. The enemy had effected an entrance.
Guy joined his companions on the shore of the river, and almost instantly a terrific explosion took place. It seemed to rend the earth. A tremendous crash and rumbling noise followed, and then all was quiet.
The concussion put out the lamp, but as soon as it was lighted again Guy ran up to see the result of his attempt.
No trace of the passageway existed. In its place was a grim wall of earth.