This shaft is what is left of one of the
outlets of the famous secret passage to and from the castle."
While the new visitors crowded about, asking questions and offering
remarks, the party that Hennessy was guiding stepped into the background,
secretly enjoying the guide's buncombe.
"If people would only stop to use their good sense a bit," whispered
Hennessy, "they'd know, at once, that the shaft is only a long disused
well."
"Great Scott!" whispered Jack. "Here come Mr. Farnum and Eph with a
guide. Let's see if they will be buncoed."
Guide number two came up, with the shipbuilder and Somers in tow.
Greetings were exchanged. Then the last arrived pair stepped forward
in the guide's wake. Farnum listened with an amused smile.
"Oh, pshaw!" grunted Eph. "Is this the best you can show us? This is
nothing but an old well, with ten feet of malaria at the bottom. Show
us, for a change, something that we can believe."
Hal began to laugh quietly. Then all hands stepped forward for another
look down the shaft. As they stepped outside again Benson happened to
turn just in time to see a familiar figure coming along a path near by.
It was Kamanako, better dressed than he had been earlier in the morning,
and carrying a bulging dress suitcase.
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