foot before another. The sound of the breakers came up to them in a
low, threatening roar.

Upon rounding a corner, the ledge broadened out into a fair-sized
platform of rock and came to a sudden end. A narrow inlet of the sea
separated them from the continuation of the cliffs beyond.

"As we can't get any further," said Maskull, "I presume this is your
Gap of Sorgie?"

"Yes," answered his friend, first dropping on his knees and then
lying at full length, face downward. He drew his head and shoulders
over the edge and began to stare straight down at the water.

"What is there interesting down there, Nightspore?"

Receiving no reply, however, he followed his friend's example, and
the next minute was looking for himself. Nothing was to be seen; the
gloom had deepened, and the sea was nearly invisible. But, while he
was ineffectually gazing, he heard what sounded like the beating of a
drum on the narrow strip of shore below. It was very faint, but
quite distinct. The beats were in four-four time, with the third
beat slightly accented. He now continued to hear the noise all the
time he was lying there. The beats were in no way drowned by the far
louder sound of the surf, but seemed somehow to belong to a different
world....

When they were on their feet again, he questioned Nightspore. "We
came here solely to hear that?"