“I hope you have better luck than I had,” I whispered.  “I bullied him as we were climbing the slope, and I believe he complained of me to Leith.  He sees a mental picture of himself with bay leaves on his brow, and he wouldn’t consider the nerves of twenty daughters.”

I was right in my prophecy.  When Holman approached the old maniac he ruffled up like an angry porcupine, and he screeched out his opinion concerning people who would not mind their own business.

“You’re the second person who has kindly informed me what I should do,” he exclaimed.  “And who are you, sir?  You have no standing with this expedition!  This is a scientific exploration party, but it seems to me that a number of busy-bodies have pushed their way into it.  I shall ask Mr. Leith if he cannot stop this interference!”

Leith listened till the Professor had finished speaking, then he turned savagely upon Holman.  “I’ve given you one chance,” he roared, “and you don’t seem to profit by it.  Now I’m not going to speak again!  If I have to tell you to keep your finger out of this pie on another occasion, you’ll go back to the yacht, and you’ll go back without provisions, do you understand?”

The youngster was not lacking in courage, and he stood up boldly as the bully screamed out his threats.

“I won’t go back,” he said quietly.  “At least I won’t go back alone.”

Leith’s big fingers crooked ominously as he glared at Holman, but Edith Herndon prevented the conflict that was imminent.

“Mr. Holman is only concerned about our safety,” she cried, stepping in front of the youngster.  “He thinks that the path is dangerous for women, and it is on that account he protests.”

Leith recovered his temper with an effort.  “It is not dangerous,” he drawled.  “We will put a strong rope under the arms of each so that it will be impossible for an accident to happen.  Soma will go first with one of the other boys, and they will guide every one into the opening.  Once through there the path leads into a valley in the centre of the island, and the road is perfectly safe.”

Edith Herndon looked at her sister as Soma unwound the strong manilla rope which he had carried from the yacht, and they exchanged glances that showed clearly the terror in which they viewed the journey across the ledge.

Leith frowned as he glanced toward the pit.  The colours were fading from the brilliant sides as the sun sank lower, and the inky clouds that seemed to heave far down in its mysterious depths fought their way slowly upward as the invading sunbeams were driven out.  It became more terrifying as each moment passed.

Leith seemed to recognize this, and he turned upon the Professor.  “If we don’t get down in half an hour we will have to postpone it till the morning,” he exclaimed.  “I didn’t look for a hitch like this.  I tell you that there is not the slightest danger, and the young ladies will be just as safe upon that ledge as they are up here.”