"
Cautiously Ralph pushed the bushes aside. He saw at once that these
had been carefully trained to cover a large hole. This was about three
feet wide; and descended at a sharp angle, forming a sloping passage
of sufficient height for a man to stand upright. Captain O'Connor
knelt down and looked in.
"This looks more possible," he said; "but it's very steep. I should
say it is not used by them, but acts as a sort of chimney to ventilate
the cavern and let the smoke out. At any rate we will try it; but we
must take our boots off so as to get a better hold on the rocks,
beside we shall make less noise. Blunt and Jervis, do you go down to
the other entrance again. It is likely enough that they may try to
make a bolt that way if they hear us coming. Keep a sharp lookout down
there, and be sure no one escapes."
"Don't you think, Captain O'Connor, that it will be a good thing to
enter from there also the moment a row is heard going on within. Their
attention will be taken up with your attack, and we may get in without
being noticed."
"That's a very good idea, Conway; and you shall carry it out. Take two
more men with you, and make your way in as soon as you hear us
engaged. But remember that it is quite possible we may not be able to
get down. This passage may get almost perpendicular presently; and
though I mean to go if possible, even if I have a straight drop for
it, it may close up and be altogether impracticable.
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