had passed a good deal of time beneath the cliffs at low-water, to
try and find out anything suggestive of an attempt being made to destroy
the mine by an explosive--finding nothing, however, but a few places
where the rocks had been chipped down by the point--determined to
examine the spot from which they had escaped by the help of Vores.

The latter being consulted, expressed his willingness to go, and Sam
Hardock was asked to accompany them, but he shook his head.

"No," he said, "my legs are all right again; but there aren't nothing to
be got by it, and I should advise you all not to go."

But another actor in the late adventures expressed his willingness to be
of the party, and tore off at full speed one morning when, well provided
with candles, matches and magnesium wire, they started off, following
the edge of the cliff, till, about a mile west of the mine, Grip seemed
to take a plunge into the sea and disappear.

"Knows his way again," said Vores, laughing; and upon the spot where the
dog had disappeared being reached, a way down for some forty or fifty
feet was found, close by which a narrow opening, with the debris lying
about as the pieces had been chipped, met the eye.

On approaching this, Grip made his appearance, barking loudly, and then
turned and went in again.

"Will you go first, sir?" said Vores; and Gwyn led, candles being lit as
soon as they were a little way in.

They followed the descent for the most part on all-fours, and lastly by
creeping and pushing the lanthorns on in front, till at last the long,
low, sloping cavern was reached where so terrible a time had been
passed.

The floor was littered with broken stones, the result of the shot that
was fired, and for a few moments Gwyn knelt there listening, expecting
to hear the hiss and roar of the wind dislodged by the pressure of the
water; but the only sound heard was the rustling and panting of those
who were following; and as soon as Joe was out they went together to the
descent into the mine.

Here there was no way down farther than about twenty feet; then the
water lay calm, smooth and black.

"It was higher than this when we were here, Joe," exclaimed Gwyn.

"Yes, right over the floor."

"Pressed up by the confined air, perhaps, gentlemen," said Vores; and
with this explanation they had to be content.

"But about how high above the sea are we here, Vores?" said Gwyn.

"No height at all, sir. According to my calculation, a