A MYSTERY EXPLAINED. 187 
slightest trace remained of the trap that had so nearly 
proved fatal to the two adventurers. 
Meantime the latter came fairly to their senses, and 
soon were as well as ever, saving a pair of headaches and 
a slight nausea, accompanied by a ringing in the ears. 
The storm was still violent, but evidently abating its 
force. 
"It's going to clear off soon," said Richard, looking up 
at the sky with a knowing air, " but we can't go any 
further to-night, it's so late. We must have used up three 
or four hours in this miserable business." 
" Dick," remarked Mrs. Button, quietly, " how long do 
you suppose you and Floss were underground, from the 
time you jumped in to the moment when you were drawn 
out through that trap-door ? " 
"I'm sure I don't know, Ella," looking rather surprised 
at her queer tone. " I haven't looked at my watch. Two 
hours, I should think, at the very least. Perhaps more." 
"I did look at my watch," said Mrs. Button, " for I 
was anxious about you both. You were out of my sight 
just six minutes and a half ! " 
It was hard to believe, but the evidence was conclusive. 
It is a well known fact that a review of a whole life may 
pass through a man's mind in a hardly appreciable instant 
of time. So it had been in this case. 
They had arrived at the camp at about two o'clock in 
the afternoon. It was now a quarter before four, the 
surplus time having been occupied in securing the raft 
