"Well," he said slowly, "I have never yet refused--a gift from the gods." And there he stopped, for suddenly, drowning all speech, there arose a din that seemed to set the whole world rocking; and in a moment there came a frightful shock that pitched them both headlong to the floor.
Saltash fell as a monkey falls, catching at one thing after another to save himself, landing eventually on his knees in pitch darkness with one hand still gripped upon Toby's thin young arm.

But Toby had struck his head against a locker and had gone down stunned and helpless.
The din of a siren above them filled the world with hideous clamour as Saltash recovered himself.

"Damn them!" he ejaculated savagely.

"Do they want to deafen us as well as send us to perdition ?" Then very suddenly it stopped, leaving a void that was instantly filled with lesser sounds.

There arose a confusion of voices, of running feet, a hubbub of escaping steam, and a great rush of water.
Saltash dragged himself up in the darkness, sought to drag Toby also, found him a dead weight, stooped and lifted him with wiry strength.
He trod among broken glass and plates as he straightened himself.