The other anticipated finding a track leading directly to the route by means of which that cavern halfway up the cliff might be easiest attained.
And, as often happens, such reasoning proved to be the wisest thing the searchers could have undertaken, for hardly had half a minute elapsed an Hugh was heard to give vent to a low ejaculation of gratification.
No one spoke, but they understood that he had found the trail he was looking for.

Indeed, he at once started to move along, still bending over, holding his lighted lantern low, so that its not too good illumination would best serve him.
Now they reached a sort of strange little gully, here the silt had washed down more heavily ring the period of erosion than at any other lace.

Looking up, the boys could see that it afforded a steep but accessible avenue by means of which an agile person could ascend the otherwise impregnable height towering above their heads.
Hugh halted not, but started up.

Owen came close behind him, holding that formidable shotgun so that he could thrust it ahead of his leader would an occasion arise necessitating action.
But Hugh had already warned him not to be rash, and under no condition to dream of firing until he himself had given the order.
It was a queer little procession that crept up that steep trail in the gully formed by Nature during the heavy storms of summer and winter.
The twin lanterns glimmered and flickered as the night wind puffed the tiny blazes; and ahead of all lay the white glow of the electric hand-torch, showing them how they were now almost at the end of their trail.
Yes, the fissure extended straight into the face of the cliff.

Hugh was taking them directly to the place where undoubtedly the mysterious unknown had stood on a sort of rocky platform, and indulged in all those queer telegraphic code motions with a light of some sort..