"Maybe some counterfeiters belong here." "Bosh, you talk as if you were in a dime novel," came from Jackson.
"More than likely some old hermit lived here.

When some men get queer in the head they come to just such a spot as this to end their days.
They hate the sight of other human beings." "I reckon it is a hermit's den," said Pender.

"But if so the hermit left it years ago, for everything inside is covered with dust and cobwebs and mildew." Pender walked up to the stout wooden door, unfastened the iron chain, and threw the barrier back.
One after the other the boys entered the opening beyond.

At first they could see but little, but gradually their eyes became accustomed to the gloom and they made out a rocky chamber about twelve feet wide and running back in irregular shape for a hundred feet or more.

At some points the ceiling was so low they had to stoop, while elsewhere it was far above their reach.