The light grew stronger. I could see now that the cavern had narrowed
considerably: there were no longer any ruts in the ground, and by
stretching out my arms I could touch the wall on either side of me. I
advanced cautiously until the light grew quite bright; I saw the tunnel
end in front of me, and emerged into an open space in the heart of the
hills.

I say an open space, for it was as large as two city blocks; but it was
as though it had been dug out of the mountains by an enormous cheese
scoop, for on all sides sheer, vertical walls of rock ascended, so high
that the light of day filtered down only dimly. A swift river, issuing
from the base of one of these stupendous cliffs, ran across the opening
and disappeared into a cave upon the other side.

I glanced at my watch. It seemed that I had been travelling for an
interminable time, but it was barely eleven o'clock. I sat down to
eat, and the thought occurred to me that this would make a good camping
place, if necessary, for it was quite warm at such a depth below the
surface of the hills, and my fur coat had begun to feel oppressive. I
felt drowsy, too, and somehow, before I was aware of any fatigue, I was
asleep.

That was a lucky thing, for I was not destined to sleep much the
following night. It was three o'clock when I awoke, and at first, as
always since my journey began, I could not remember where I was. And,
as always, it was the thought of Jacqueline that recalled to me my
surroundings.

I sprang to my feet and made hasty preparations to resume my journey.

A short investigation showed me that I had come into a _cul-de-sac_,
for there was no path through the opposite hills. There were, however,
a number of extensive caves in the porous limestone cliffs, any of
which might prove to be the sequence of the road.

The first thing that I perceived on beginning my search was that men
had been here before me.

What was the place? A robbers' den? A camp of outlaws?

In the first cave that I explored I found a stock of provisions--flour
and canned meats and matches--snugly stored away safe from the damp and
snow. Near by were picks and shovels and three very reputable
blankets, with a miscellany of materials suggestive of the camping
party's outfit.

I might have been more surprised than I was, but my thoughts were
centred on Jacqueline, and the waning of the light showed me that the
sun must be well down in the sky. I must get on at once