Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/131

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
OF THE CARRIER PIGEONS
107

pected its presence from the inside of the city, so well was it hidden by the little spreading lake.

“Now what ought I do next?” thought Gysbert when he had unravelled this mystery. “Without doubt this is Dirk’s secret doorway, and how he discovered it the Evil One only knows! The question is, should I try to explore it before he is well out of the way? I would hardly care to meet him in this black hole! On the other hand, I don’t believe he will remain in here a moment longer than he has to, and I’m freezing hanging here. I ’ll risk it!”

So saying he plunged into the grim cave, and commenced his journey through the base of the great wall of Leyden. To his disgust he found that the stream did not penetrate straight from side to side, but turned and pierced through the length of the wall for many yards. The way was difficult enough, since he had to fight every inch of his progress against the swift current, and once the