them in that black cavern was
purely an accident, and it was hardly probable that Holman and myself
would be able to find our way back to the spot if we went off on a tour
of investigation. Personally I had no desire to leave the girls. Leith's
deviltry had so impressed me that I considered him capable of anything,
and if he thought we were out of the way, I had no doubt that he would
take immediate steps to break down the courage of the Professor and his
daughters by means that were familiar to him. I could well understand
that Edith Herndon's love for her father would compel her to sacrifice
herself if she saw the aged Professor in front of the great stone
centipede, and that might happen at any moment now that Leith considered
that he had disposed of all active opposition.

For hours we debated the matter, and finally the Professor was won over.
He agreed to move forward on an inspection tour of the vast subterranean
place the moment the next supply of food came from above, and we waited
anxiously. During the wait Holman and I made short trips into the
darkness, but we were careful that we did not get out of the hearing of
the two girls, who called at intervals so that we would be able to find
our way back. The place was awe-inspiring. Its size could only be
guessed at. Stones that were flung in a certain direction where the
floor sloped gradually downward could be heard rolling for many minutes
after they left our hands.

We guessed that it was early morning when we heard from Leith. A blazing
torch illuminated a round hole about seventy feet above our heads, and
Holman and I immediately remained quiet so that the big scoundrel would
be in ignorance of the reunion. There was no possibility of the
torchlight making our presence known. It would take a score of torches
to enable him to see us.

Leith thrust his head over the edge of the hole while Soma held the
torch, and, with a coarse laugh, the ruffian inquired if his victims had
changed their minds.

"No, we have not," replied the Professor, his thin, quavering voice
sounding strangely weak after the deep-throated bellow of the bully on
top.

"Well, you'll change it soon," cried Leith. "I'll leave you down there
for another day or two, and then I'll get you up to do some stunts. Mind
you, I mean a proper marriage with Miss Edith, Professor! _The Waif_
will run us up to the German missionary station while you take charge
here for your affectionate son-in-law."