ed brain cases were to supply the subject matter of the
learned treatise that was to bring fame to the archaeologist. It was an
indescribably mournful reunion. We could not see each other, and when
silence fell upon us I had a horrible sensation that the choking,
depressing darkness of the place was wafting Edith Herndon away from me.
I longed to find and clasp the hand that had taken mine the night on
board _The Waif_ when I made an offer of my services.

The Professor had explained that the opening through which they had been
lowered was immediately above their heads. They had not moved from the
spot lest they would not be able to find it again to obtain the food
which Leith had promised to send till they saw fit to accede to his
proposals, and when Holman suggested moving forward upon a tour of
investigation the old man combated the idea vigorously.

"We will lose ourselves, and we will never be able to find our way back
here to get the food," he cried.

"But we will never get out by remaining here," said Holman. "If he has
made the acceptance of those proposals the only grounds upon which he
will grant you your liberty, I don't see that it will serve any good to
remain here taking the food he throws down."

"That's true," murmured Edith, and I blessed her mentally for the calm
way in which she had uttered the words. The surrounding darkness had no
terrors for her in comparison to the fate that awaited her above. The
manner in which she spoke of the sallow-faced rogue convinced me that
the proposals that had been made since the time that Leith had shone out
in his true colours had produced a terror which she endeavoured to hide
from her father and sister.

But the dark terrified the Professor. Although he viewed Leith's
proposals with the greatest abhorrence, the hole above his head appeared
to him to be the only path back to the outer world, and he was afraid to
stray.

"There might be another way out of the place," said Holman. "Can Verslun
and I make the attempt and leave you three here?"

"No, no!" cried Barbara. "Please stay here with us!"

"I think it will be better if we remain together," said Edith. "If you
and Mr. Verslun did discover an opening it would be exceedingly
difficult to find your way back here, and if you got out of this place
you might not be able to reach the opening through which we were
lowered. Perhaps the way to it is known only to Leith."

Edith's argument was sound. Our finding