Suddenly, without warning, a step collapsed under [Jupiters] weight. His
momentum carried him dounward. The next step carried him downward. The
next step cracked and broke away, too. He attempted to brake by grabbing
the handrail.
"A-a-a-agh!" The monster was entering the cave now and they could hear its rasping breath.
Bob looked intently at Jupe, who was sitting back looking quite content. He didn't trust that look. It meant, as he had learned from the past, that Jupe was onto something. something that had eluded both Pete and himself.
Slowly the other dogs emerged, walking stiffly, their tails wagging. Bob grinned. "Whiskers! I counted - six! We found them!"
