This man was a stranger to them, and he had brought them to a very wild and out-of-the-way place.
Had he any evil purpose in bringing them there?
Jack stood wavering for a few seconds—no more.
"We are four," he said to himself, "four without counting Mr. Mole; they must be a pretty tough lot to frighten us much, after all said and done."
So saying down he went.
The others followed close behind him.
At the base of the flight of steps they found themselves in a spacious vault that was unpleasantly dark.
"Allow me to lead the way now," said Lenoir, passing on. "Follow me closely; there is no fear of stumbling, there is nothing in the way."
So saying, he conducted them through this opening, which, by the way, was so low that they had to stoop in passing under, and found themselves now in a narrow cave, which reminded young Jack forcibly of the dungeon and its approach of Sir Walter Raleigh, in the Tower of London.
"What do you think of this place?" demanded the guide.