All three held their breath. There was not a sound. Bob picked up and lit the torch, and advanced in front of the ladies, throwing a faint illumination on the irregular roof and walls. Nothing was to be seen. "Perhaps it was a bird," said Bob. "Not at all, Mr. Fawcett. It was a man, I know it was. I was lying awake, thinking, and listening to dear Ethel’s breathing, when I heard a footstep. I jumped up; I heard it distinctly; then a sort of grunt, like a man clearing his throat; then I saw a pair of eyes shining—" "Oh, Aunt Jane, how could you in the dark?" "My dear, I did; and to prove it, when I fired the pistol the eyes disappeared, and you woke up, and you yourself heard footsteps, several footsteps, going quickly away into the interior." "I did seem to hear footsteps," said Ethel, "but I was so scared that—Oh, Mr. Fawcett, I don’t like this dark place. We don’t know who may be in it." "But I went a good way through it before I brought you here, and saw nothing." "Depend upon it, there’s another entrance," declared Mrs. Pottle, "and the Russians were coming to attack us this way. If I had not been awake we should all have been murdered. I think I frightened them, I know I did; but they will come back. Mr. Fawcett, you must bring up your men and drive the villains out at the other end." "It is extraordinary. I cannot think that is the explanation. Russians would not have run away at one pistol-shot. I must go into the interior and explore. Ah-Sam, go and bring me another torch." The Chinaman had followed in Bob’s footsteps. He soon returned from the encampment with a torch, which he lit at Bob’s order. "You will stay here with the torch till I return," said Bob. "No can do," declared Ah-Sam. "My walkee behind-side massa, look-see iniside. Supposey massa catchee Rosha man; ch’hoy! what for China-boy stop wailo? One piecee man catchee you, he killum—sartin." "Nonsense. You must guard the ladies. Do not follow me unless I call you. I will be as quick as I can," he added to the ladies. Then taking one torch in his left hand and a pistol in his right, he advanced cautiously into the cleft, leaving the ladies standing with joined hands. *CHAPTER XVII* *A Night Reconnaissance* A Council of War—Looking West—Light—The Face of the Cliff—Scouting—A Question of Navigation