"They never brought you up here in a wagon, Mr. Jenks," decided
Tom, when he saw how steep the place was.
"I'm inclined to think so myself," admitted the diamond man.
"They must have reached the cave from some other way. As a matter
of fact, I walked some distance after getting out of the vehicle,
before we got to the cavern. But, even at that, I don't believe
we came this way."
"Yet the phantom was here," persisted Tom, "and I'm convinced
that the cave is in this neighborhood. It's up to us to find it!"
But they searched the remainder of that day in vain, and as
night was coming on, they made their way back to the camp. As
Tom, who was in the lead, approached the tent, he saw something
black fastened to the entrance.
"Hello!" he cried. "Some one's been here. That wasn't on the
tent when he left this morning."
"What is it?" asked Mr. Damon.
"A black piece of paper, written on with white ink," replied
the lad. He was reading it, and, as he perused it a look of
surprise came over his face.
"Listen to this!" called Tom. "It's evidently from the diamond
makers."
Holding up the black paper, on which the white writing stood
out in bold relief Tom read aloud:
"Be warned in time! Go back before it is too late! You are near
to death! Go back!"
"Bless my shoelaces!" cried Mr.
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