trees and the roadway.

"We must be near the place. Surely it cannot be far now," answered the
guardian. "I thought we should have seen a light before this."

"We're coming into the open," broke in Jane. "I'm glad of that. Now we
needn't be afraid of running into the trees or the fences, if there
are any along the track. I can't make out the sides of the road at
all. I--"

A sudden and new sound cut short her words. The girls, realizing that
something unusual was occurring, fell suddenly silent. The roadway
beneath them gave off a hollow sound, as if they were going over a
bridge. The fringe of trees had fallen away, while all about them was
what appeared to be a darkened plain or field. Yet strain their eyes
as they would, the travelers were unable to distinguish the character
of their surroundings, though Harriet Burrell, with chin elevated, had
been sniffing the air suspiciously.

"I smell water," she cried.

"Tho do I," lisped Tommy. "But I don't want a drink."

Jane began to slow down as soon as the new sound had been heard. The
car was rolling along slowly. For some unaccountable reason the driver
put on a little more speed. Then came Jane McCarthy's voice, in a
quick, warning shout:

"Here's trouble. Jump, girls! Jump! We're going in!"