The Island School — page 339: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ile most sanguine of spiders, starting business i in a most WH: Ne) . : unpromising district, could have woven them. Of the third passage they had traversed but a small fe ed portion, when the light, as declared, began to give out. 2 my * ye ea Back, therefore, they must Hee: And ae was no time to lose, either. j Me Tne ia o peas left there in the dark. a _ It was so easy to mistake where one was. A casual se per might upset a previously well-conceived rede of a position in the darkness, The lamp lasted until they were in the direct way, Rend then expired. But there was no possibility, save “by the srossest carelessness, of missing the way now, 13 and they reached the laboratory, worn out with ex- on citement and very dejected. It was now half-past nine, and the major portion of cai the boys had retired. Eveline and her mother were _ stillimthehall. They looked surprised when the pair ot ue emerged from the laboratory. _ “We have been looking for Morse,” said Jim, as he mp, Pat ; ‘pare A gloomily sat down by the fire, _ “What has happened to him ?” asked Mrs. Farrell. Jim explained everything, and there were general a expressions from all who were in the hall. ie “T try to hope,” said Jim, “but on my life I can- 2 not. I suppose I am getting a bit worn out with one _ thing and another.” _ “No wonder,” said Eveline, with a kind glance at “his meditative face. ae All that could be done had been done, and they feould only await the coming of the morning, when es more ample appliances in the way of lights and so on, the search could be resumed. : ee “Tf Morse is alive,” said Jim, “he will be back % before then. If he does not come, we shall only have . to look for his body.” _ Kyentually the party broke up, and Jim declared he that he meant to get what sleep he could that night uh - by the fire. _At half-past ten there was a change of sentries, and _ Changeling went on duty at the gate. Martin was Se cited to the ramparts, and both came. to Jim ere _ they went on duty. _ “Tt’s very bad,” said Martin; “ but Morseis such a ~ clever fellow and so full of resource, that Iam sure : he will come back.” “My opinion, too,” murmured Changeling. «Thank yeu both,” returned Jim. “I wish I could also think so.’ _ They went out, and Jim made up a rough kind of _ couch im front of the fire. Then he piled on more logs and lay down to rest, but without any intention of sleeping. | But age he oe in ae of om troubles a and the time Df 4 ait 7. ¥2 » ie pi is - Although Jim had no fear of his ability to find bis "way to the laboratory, he was not inclined to risk es eee f extent he a eens his e ee on vg widnieht. “Madlins on os rene ip walking to and fro sadly enough, when Be ai a voice outside softly speaking. " ‘Who is it ?” he asked. ‘“ Hist !” was the reply. He knew the voice. It was that of Morse, ea for a moment Martin was dumb with astonishment. How | could Morse, who had disappeared in the core have as got there P a 4 It flashed upon him that it micht not be ‘Mowe in : the flesh, so prone are men to Dene a supernatural, solution of an apparent insoluble mystery. == * pera it Morse, really ?” he inquired. _ an te viel * “It is,” was the reply. ‘ Let me in. Re * . he es ey’ ss be ry Quick! My as . There was no need for Martin to think any more. on 3 the matter, and he promptly ran down: the stairs. — Changeling had already opened the gate. He had been a dumbfounded listener, and recovering himself a | —he was a very muscular fellow—pulled back the sige i q form. | : “a Morse came in with a staggering step, ani sven have fallen if Martin had not caught him in his arms. ae ; “T am pretty well done up,” he said. ‘Where is. a Jim?” ty Ai “In the hall, lying ann. He has been in phe cave, and could not find you. He is in a bad way.” ‘Help me in there, and get me something to par) a ee hx » i x p> I’m only done up with fatigue.” + Changeling closed the gate and gave his assistance _ i also. When they got to the hall they awoke Jim, halt 4 i was overpowered to find his friend before him. But — a ae) is Morse ne more dead than alive. : “ Had a stiffish day,” he said. “ Will tell you more By oh ie about it later on. No time to lose. AssoonasI have Wa y something to eat, we must go to work.” bat aN “Work ?” repeated Jim. | ena An affirmative sign was the response. Chineehaed im an bolted off to get some food, and was back in a trice yi: with a platefui of meat and bread from the larder. — a Morse ate with the appetite of the starving. Martin Be meanwhile heated some water for coffee. ‘ ; Morse soon began to recover. The colour returned Ve to his cheeks and the light to his eyes. The coffee was speedily ready, and he drank some of it. Thenhe 3 finished the food, and spoke in something like his accustomed quiet way. “The laboratory,” he said, ‘‘ must be cleared at once. You can take out what little furniture there is. I will see to what may be considered the more danger- ous material.” } ‘Clear the laboratory ?” “Don’t ask questions, Jim, but do jase as [ tell: you. Afterwards we can sit down and talk.” 7 If for a moment they feared that he was ee ri wildly, the thought was soon dispelled. — Poa: gre aoe S. are ri / ~ Sar, es, ayy 4) Le AN th ¥ orn i * ie Ne nae ton