Page:Dave Porter on Cave Island.djvu/255

Rh tried to pierce the darkness. "Looks like some underground river to me."

"The water is salt."

"Then this place must connect with the ocean." Dave drew a deep breath. "Merwell, tell me truthfully, what did you do with those jewels?" he questioned, eagerly. Even in that time of peril he could not forget the mission that had brought him to Cave Island.

"Who—who said I had the jewels?" faltered the other.

"I know you and Jasniff took them—It is useless for you to deny it."

"How do you know that?"

"Never mind now. Answer my question. Have you the jewels, or did you give them to Jasniff?"

"I didn't give Nick anything."

"Then you have them."

"How do you know?"

"I am not here to answer questions, Link Merwell. I want to know what you did with the jewels." Dave's voice grew stern. "Answer me at once!" And he caught Merwell by the arm.

"Don't—don't shove me into the water!" cried the scamp, in alarm, although Dave had no intention of doing as he imagined. "I—I—we—er—we divided the jewels between us. But Nick got the best of them."