rs
were to remain on the surface to pull their companions up, when their
explorations should be finished.

So Major Arkell seated himself in a loop of the rope, swung over the
edge of the old shaft, and was slowly lowered until the measured
length had run out. Then the others, peering anxiously down from
above, saw his twinkling light swing back and forth until it suddenly
disappeared. A moment later the rope was relieved of its strain, and
they knew that its burden had been safely deposited on the rocky
platform described by Peveril. He went next, and was quickly landed in
safety beside his companion.

"It is an old working, sure as you live!" exclaimed the major, who was
examining the walls of the gallery with a professional eye. "And here
are the tools you spoke of. Beautiful specimens, by Jove! Finest I
ever saw. We must have them all up--every one. But let us go back a
piece and examine the drift. First time I ever knew of those old
fellows drifting, though. They generally only worked in open pits
until they struck water, and then quit. Didn't seem to have any idea
of pumps."

Still filled with his recent horror of the place, Peveril tried to
dissuade the other from penetrating any farther into the workings, but
in vain; and so, each bearing a lighted candle, they set forth. At the
several piles of material, previously noted as barring the way, the
major uttered exclamations of delight and astonishment.

"It is copper!" he cried. "Mass copper, almost pure! The very richest
specimens I have ever seen! Why, man, the old mine must have been a
bonanza, if it all panned out stuff like this! These piles were
evidently ready for removal when something interfered to prevent.
Wonder what it could have been? Didn't find any bones, did you, or
evidences of a catastrophe?"

"No. Nothing but what you see. Good heavens, major! What's that?"

With blanched faces the two stood and listened. Strong men as they
were, their very limbs trembled, while their hearts almost ceased
beating.

Again it came from the black depths beyond them--a cry of agony,
pitiful and pleading.

"Let's get out of this," whispered the major, clutching at Peveril's
arm and endeavoring to drag him back the way they had come. "I've had
enough."

"No," replied the other, resolutely; "we can't leave while some human
being is calling for deliverance from this awful place."

[Illustration: THE TWO MEN STOOD AND LISTENED]

"You don't think it a huma