Page:The House On The Cliff.pdf/154

 "What shall we do?" asked Joe, looking through the doorway into the darkness beyond.

"Go ahead?"

"We've come this far, and there's no sense in turning back. Let's go."

Frank stepped on into the passage beyond. He had hardly switched on the flashlight, revealing a crude flight of stairs that led from the rocky landing, before he stiffened and laid a warning hand on his brother's arm.

"Voices!" he whispered.

They listened.

They heard a man's voice in the distance. They could not distinguish what he was saying, for he was still too far away, but gradually the tones grew louder. Then, to their alarm, they heard footsteps.

Hastily, they retreated into the secret chamber.

"Quick! The door," snapped Frank.

They closed the door quietly.

"Now the boxes. If they come in here they'll notice that the boxes have been moved. Quick."

Swiftly the Hardy boys began to pile the empty boxes back on the platform that projected from the bottom of the door. They worked as quietly as possible and as they worked they heard the footsteps on the stairs drawing closer and closer.