pillar-like rock, which entirely blocked up the path. Turning sharply to
the left, he felt his way a short distance, and came to an aperture in the
wall-like stone. Here he paused a moment, and bent his ear in a listening
attitude; then gave three distinct raps upon some substance that filled up
the gap.

"Who is there?" was demanded in a stern voice from within.

"A friend," was the reply.

"The pass-word."

"_Death to traitors!_"

"Enter!"

And a massive door was thrown back, through which Duffel passed and found
himself in a dimly-lighted and damp entrance-way, which pursuing for a
short distance led him to a spacious cave, which was now brilliantly
illuminated by many lights that were reflected from a thousand polished
surfaces of crystalline rock. So soon as he entered, a sentinel-watchman,
whose duty it was to proclaim the names of all new-comers, announced him
thus:

"Lieutenant Duffel!"

"Welcome to the Secret Cave!

"Welcome is a brother brave!" was the greeting he received from a score of
voices whose owners came forward and took him cordially by the hand.