I lowered the lantern to the floor but quickly raised it again.
"What is that on the other side?" I queried. "I am sure there is a break in the wall over in that corner."
"I can not see," she gasped; certainly she was very much frightened. "Are you going to cross the floor?"
"Yes; and if you do not wish to follow me, sit down on these steps—"
"No, I will go where you go; but this is very fearful. Why, what is the matter?"
I had stepped aside in order to avoid a trail of footprints I saw extending across the cellar floor.
"Come around this way," I urged. "If you will follow me I will keep you from being too much frightened."
She did as I told her. Softly her steps fell in behind mine; and thus with wary tread and peering eyes we made our way to the remote end, where we found—or rather where I found—that the break which I had noticed in the uniformity of the wall was occasioned by a pile of old boxes, arranged so as to make steps up to a hole cut through the floor above.
With a sharp movement I wheeled upon her.
"Do you see that?" I asked, pointing back over my shoulder.