Page:The Great Secret.djvu/127



, my friend."

"Yes, Adela."

"Are we not dead?"

"I think not. I feel as much alive as ever. We had to use the rope in crossing from the wreck to the shore as human beings have; spirits are supposed to fly where they like. I think we shall have to use that rope to climb the face of the cliff that your husband has used, and which still hangs there. I feel hungry now and would like to eat, don't you?"

"Yes, now you have mentioned it."

"We were hungry and thirsty on the ship after the explosion, and we eat and drank; how is that for spirits?"

"We are also hungry and helpless. Tell us what to do?"

Philip Mortlake turned about and beheld a melancholy troop of men, women and children come from the shadows of the cave. He shuddered as he recognised some whom he had seen as corpses starting up and down in front of the ledge the night before.

"Who are you?"