Their tunnel had begun to slope gently downward, with niches gouged here and there for the passing of burden-bearers.

Rudolph, toiling after, suddenly found his head entangled between his leader's boots.
"Quiet," he heard him whisper.

"Somebody coming." An instant later, the boots withdrew quickly.

An odd little squeak of surprise followed, a strange gurgling, and a succession of rapid shocks, as though some one were pummeling the earthen walls.
"Got the beggar," panted Heywood.

"Only one of 'em.