and laid it ready.

The next minute he was nicking a piece of flint against the steel,
striking sparks down into the box, and at the second sharp click Mark
started awake.

"Yes! What is it?" he cried--"Where am I?"

"On'y here, Master Mark," replied the boy. "Candle's gone out."

"Why, Dummy! Have we been to sleep?"

"I s'pose so, Master Mark. Po-o-o-o-f-f-uf! There we are!"

He had obtained a light, the match burning up brightly, and then the
candle, after the fluffy wick had been burnt and blown.

"How tiresome! I don't know, though. I feel rested."

"Being up all last night, I s'pose," said Dummy, as he stuck the candle
in the crack.

"Yes, of course; that's it. Think we've been asleep long?"

"I dunno. Fear'd so."

"Let's go back, then, at once," said Mark, springing to his feet. "Why,
we may have been asleep for hours. Light another candle, and let's get
back."

"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 w