"Just exactly as we left it!" exclaimed Browning. "No one has closed the door."
This seemed to surprise him. Hodge pushed forward and went in. Bruce followed.
The empty rooms echoed to their steps. Everywhere were cobwebs, dust, decay. Some of the windows were broken, some were boarded up.
From room to room they went, they ascended the stairs, they spoke in whispers.
The sun shone in upon the floor, but it brought nothing
of cheer to the deserted building. It seemed like a mocking attempt to make the place look pleasant, an attempt that served to show its dreary desolation all the more plainly.
"He is not here," whispered Bart.
"The basement," came from Bruce. "It was there that I found him when he disappeared the other time."
Down the creaking stairs they went, Browning taking the lead now. The door at the head of the stairs leading into the dark basement was open.
"Just as we left it," declared the big fellow. "It was fastened in the first place, so Merry said. He had to force it open."