I started to my feet and fled down the valley at my utmost speed.

I stopped at last, ashamed of my panic and my flight, and returned to the spot on which I had left the body of my friend.

It was gone; doubtless the monster had already drawn it into its den and devoured it.

The rope and the grappling-hooks still lay where they had fallen, but they afforded me no chance of return; it was impossible to re-attach them to the rock above, and the sides of the rock were too sheer and smooth for human steps to clamber.

I was alone in this strange world, amidst the bowels of the earth..