When these photographs were printed by the improved methods then in vogue, Clewe seized the pictures and examined them with eager haste.

For some moments he stood silent, his eyes fixed upon the photographs as if there was nothing else in this world; but all he saw on each was an irregular patch of light.

He thrust the prints aside, and in a loud, sharp voice he gave orders to bring the great telescope and set it up above the hole.

The light was still at the bottom, and the instant the telescope was in position Clewe mounted the stepladder and directed the instrument downward.

In a few moments he gave an exclamation, and then he came down from the ladder so rapidly that he barely missed falling.