The air was heavy and hot and damp, and smelled of mildew.
The man gave the order back when he had read it, made a little gesture
that resembled a bow, and led the way straight forward.
They found themselves, when they had passed through the half-open door,
in another passage running at right-angles to the entrance, with
windows, heavily barred, so as to exclude all but the faintest twilight,
even though the sun was not yet set; there appeared to be foliage of
some kind, too, pressing against them from outside, as if a little
central yard lay there; and the light, by which alone they could see
their way along the uneven earth floor, came from a flambeau which hung
by the door, evidently put there just now by the man who had opened to
them; he led them down this passage to the left, down a couple of steps;
unlocked another door of enormous weight and thickness and closed this
behind them. They found themselves in complete darkness.
"I'll be with you in a moment, mistress," said his voice; and they heard
his steps go on into the dark and cease.
Marjorie stood passive; she could feel the girl's hands clasp her arm,
and could hear her breath come like sobs. But before she could speak, a
light shone somewhere on the roof; and almost immediately the man came
back carrying another flambeau. He called to them civilly; they
followed. Marjorie once trod on some soft, damp thing that crackled
beneath her foot. They groped round one more corner; waited, while they
heard a key turning in a lock.
Pages:
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263