Old Jarks won't think we're in so snug a spot." Out went the light, Vince closed and fastened the door, and then, settling himself in his sandy nest, he said quietly,-- "Now we shall have to wait for hours before we can start.

What shall we do--tell stories ?" Mike made no reply.
"Well, he needn't be so jolly sulky," thought Vince.

"I'm sure it's the best thing to do .-- Yes, what's that ?" It was a hand stretched out of the darkness, and feeling for his till it could close over it in a tight, firm grip.
"I'm so sorry, Cinder, old chap," came in a low, husky voice.

"All this has made me feel half mad." There was silence then for a few minutes, as the boys sat there in total darkness, hand clasped in hand.

Then Vince spoke.
"I know," he said, in a voice which Mike hardly recognised: "I've been feeling something like it, only I managed to stamp it down.