"Right, Master Mark. Well, it don't much matter, for we hadn't nothing to do." The second candle was lit, and stuck in the rough wooden carrying-stick, the other was taken from the crack in the stone and treated the same. "Won't go no furrer, then, Master Mark?" said the boy. "No, not to-day," said Mark decisively, as he looked round the chamber, and then stooped to take a draught of the clear water, an example Dummy followed. "Ready, Master Mark?" "Yes, lead on. But which way?" "Don't you know, sir?" said Dummy grinning. "Haven't the least idea. Have you?" "Yes, sir. This way. I know." "But are you sure you are right?" "Ay, this is right." "Then you have been there before?" "Nay, never; but I can feel that's right," and he pointed in the opposite direction to that which Mark felt they ought to take. "Forward, then, and let's get out as quick as we can." "Yes, but it'll take some time;" and the boy led on. "Why, Dummy," cried Mark, suddenly, "we must have slept for hours and hours." "How do you know, sir?" "Why, I can feel." "In your head, like, sir?" said Dummy eagerly. "Head? No: somewhere else," cried Mark, laughing. "I am half-starved." A good three hours must have elapsed before, after a weary climb and tramp, and when the last candle had been lit, the two lads emerged from behind the stony veil into the grotto-like place that had deceived Mark Eden. "Don't matter about candles now, Master Mark," said Dummy; "I could find my way out ready enough by touching the wall with one hand." "Well, make haste and let's get out; I don't want to be in fresh trouble through stopping so long. I believe it's supper-time." "Yes, Master Mark," replied the boy, "and so do I." They had still a long way to go, but once past the veil of stalactite, they began to enter the workings with the passages and chambers possessing fairly level floors, made for the convenience of transporting the ore to the mouth of the mine. The walking then became comparatively easy, but Mark's weariness was on the increase, and there were moments when the faint glow of light which spread around Dummy, as he walked in front, grew misty and strange, playing fantastic tricks to the observer's eye: now it seemed close to him; now it and the black silhouette it formed of the bearer's body appeared to be far-off, and to die away in the distance, but only to return again with a sudden jerk, as Mark started and tried to step out more firmly. At these moments, his own candle having burned out, Mark watched the shadow of his companion dancing about, now on the floor, now on the ceiling or on either side, looking grotesque and goblin-like for a few moments, and then dying out again and causing the lad to start, as he felt in a dreamy way that he was being left behind, though on recovering his fleeting senses it was only to find that Dummy was almost within touch. This had been going on for some time, when Mark spoke: