14 The Mystery of the Coughing Dragon by Nick West

Author:Nick West [West, Nick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

The Grip of Fear

“IT’S COMING AFTER US!” Pete cried.

The roaring noise from the other passage grew louder. The rock that linked the

two caves trembled under the pounding. Sand and small rocks started to fall from the

roof of the small cave they were huddled in. The air became clouded with dry, gritty

dust.

“Landslide!” Pete said, coughing.

“We’re trapped!” Bob cried. “We’ll suffocate!”

Jupiter remembered what they had been told about the cave — the danger of

landslides, of being buried alive.

It appeared Arthur Shelby had not been joking.

More rocks fell. The pounding and roaring seemed to grow in intensity. Jupe

shook his head, trying to get rid of his helpless creeping terror.

Dazed and frightened, he found his eyes fixed on the planks at the other end of

their cave. Of course! It was incredible how fear fogged one’s mind.

“The planks!” he yelled. “We go out the same way we got in!”

The three frightened investigators leaped for the boards. Jupe and Bob scooped

desperately at the loose sand at the bottom, while Pete stood pounding at the thick

board, trying to move it. In another moment that seemed like a lifetime, it was free.

They squirmed through.

They swung the big board back and hastily kicked sand underneath it, wedging it

in place. Then they looked at each other, panting.

Jupe’s head bobbed.

“Now we run for it!” he said.

Jupiter didn’t intend to lead the way. His feet did it for him. They took him straight

14. The Mystery of the Coughing Dragon

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out of the mouth of the cave. Then he was on the sand, running.

Right beside him was Pete. Pete was the best athlete of the trio, and the fastest

runner. Bob was next. Ordinarily neither of them would have had any trouble passing

Jupiter.

Their torches made erratic bobbing paths of light as they ran. They passed the

broken staircase. Finally, they were at the steps of the second staircase that ran to

the top of the ridge. Worthington was up there, they knew, and the powerful Rolls-

Royce that could whisk them to safety. Behind them was the roaring creature that

had come out of the sea, and was angrily looking for them.

They were halfway up and still there was nothing behind to snatch at them with

cruel jaws and hot steaming breath. Then they were on the top, panting and gasping

for breath.

Ahead of them, far in the distance, were the twinkling lights of Los Angeles. And

parked down the street, was the waiting car with Worthington at the wheel.

48 | P a g e

They raced to the big, sleek Rolls-Royce, its metal parts and golden door handles

gleaming in the moonlight. The door was flung open, and they piled into the rear

seat.

“Worthington!” Jupiter panted. “Take us home.”

“Very good, Master Jones,” the tall, dignified chauffeur replied, and the big car

came purring to life. It picked up speed and began its long sweeping turn down to the

Pacific Coast Highway, going faster and faster.

“I didn’t know you could run so fast, Jupe,” gasped Pete.

“Neither did I,” Jupe replied through puffed cheeks. “Maybe — it’s because — I

never saw — a dragon before.

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