Page 56 of Doyle

“This mine was owned by the largest landowner and merchant on the island—way back in 1865. There are actually three mines in this mountain, and a pit nearly a thousand feet deep in which they found sulfur.”

“Please let this tunnel not end at that pit.”

He laughed. “I think, given my study of the map, the pit is farther north. But there are miles and miles of tunnels, some of them natural, others man-made. It was mined for nearly a hundred years. The mine rights were separated and passed down to family members over the years and finally were sold to the city of Esperanza in 1964. It’s been virtually abandoned since then. There, look—stairs.”

His light fell on a set of steps cut into the rock. She turned, looked back, but couldn’t see the great room.Breathe. You’re fine.

She braced her hand on the wall as they descended, her other hand on his shoulder.

“Smell that? It’s the ocean.”

Indeed, the sulfur scent seemed to dissipate, and they finally landed on even ground. Here the tunnel had closed in, but they could still stand, the walls eight feet wide, maybe ten feet tall. And light emerged from up ahead.

Still, she gripped Doyle’s hand as they ventured toward the light. The mouth of the tunnel opened to a view of the sea. She stepped up to the edge.

It dropped some fifty feet down to a ledge that protruded into the water.

“It’s the tunnel,” Doyle said, pointing to the lava rock. “I’d hoped that it connected to the mountain. But it does look like they used this for offloading sulfur.” He pointed to a cable that extended to the bottom. “Maybe this was a lift of sorts.”

“The tide has gone down—you can see the tide line.” She pointed to a protruding rock thirty feet from the cliff. “When the tide was in, ships could reach the top of the tunnel and pick up the sulfur supply.”

“Easier than hiking it down to the village.”

“Maybe, but it seems this way is harder. And that cable looks early 1900s.” Rusty and fraying, part of it grew into the rock, secured by vines and brush.

He sighed. “So maybe this won’t work.”

There was so much disappointment on his face, she wanted to disagree. In fact, “What if this isn’t the only outlet? We haven’t checked the other tunnels.”Aw,why did she say that? Because now he smiled, andshoot,she’d sealed her fate.

He took her hand again until they got to the stairs, then they climbed back up, out to the cavern area. He gestured to the next tunnel. “What do you think?”

“I think someone’s following us.” She pointed into the yellow mist. Tire tracks—bicycle tracks. They led to the tunnel near the entrance...

Maybe leading back to Hope House.

Wait...

“I’ll bet it’s Ethan. He’s found the sulfur mine and is trying to find the gold.”

Doyle looked down at her, frowning. “What?”

“Long story. C’mon.”

She headed toward the opening, her gut roiling. “He wanted to blast open the cave-in under the monastery, where he thinks the treasure is buried. I told him no?—”

“Good for you.”

“Except, clearly he’s found another way in.” She ducked, this tunnel not as developed but still carved out, the walls six feet wide, and under her feet, tire marks.

It twisted south, descending gradually, the walls weeping, the darkness fighting the light.

“You think this tunnel goes all the way back to Hope House?” Doyle walked behind her, ducking now and again. The sulfur smell thickened, and she tucked her nose into the top of her shirt.

“I’m not sure this is safe,” said Doyle. “Sulfur is toxic—I didn’t realize how thick it would be until now. I think we need masks. And there are probably still pockets of gases. It could be flammable?—”

A rumble deep inside the body of the volcano, as if it might be snoring, or rousing from slumber. The walls shivered, and amber dust fell, sifting into the air.

Doyle reached out and grabbed her, pulled her back, leaning over her as if protecting her from the falling dust.

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