Morning, at least in point of time, came without any
disturbance, and they made a cold breakfast. They hoped that Bill
Renshaw would come, but he did not appear.
After sitting in the dark cave until afternoon, Tom said:
"I think we might as well go and take another observation of
the big cave. We can tell what the men are doing, then, for they
don't seem to have been near us. Maybe they have given up the
search for us, and we can see them at work, and Mr. Jenks can
gain what further knowledge he needs."
"That will be a good plan," agreed the diamond man. "It's
maddening to sit here, doing nothing."
"And it will be comparatively safe to go from here to our
former post of observation," added Tom, "for there doesn't seem
to be any opening along the tunnel, into the larger cave, except
the place where we were."
Accordingly they started off. Cautiously they looked through
the opening into the apartment where they had seen the diamonds
made.
"There's not a soul here!" exclaimed Tom, in a whisper. The
others looked. The place was deserted--the machinery silent. Mr.
Jenks peered in for a moment, and then exclaimed:
"I'm going in! Now's my chance to find out all that I wish to
know! It may never come again, and then we can soon leave Phantom
Mountain!"
It was a daring plan, but it seemed to be the best one to
follow.
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