Harry walked up to the great bronze wheels and turned them at random, first this way and then that. Each revolved independently of the others, and could be turned either backwards or forwards.
From what his uncle had told him, he knew that each wheel must be turned until the characters visible along a given line corresponded to those upon the Sunstone. There could be no doubt as to where this line was, for, across the wheels, at about the height of a man's eyes, a bar of gold extended.
Whilst Harry and Jim were examining the wheels, Cortes was exploring the side aisles beneath the gallery. Presently he came towards his companions on tiptoe, with a finger raised to his lips.
"Come here!" said he in a whisper, beckoning to Harry.
Harry did so, and was conducted to one of the iron-bound doors, where the guide motioned him to stoop down and listen.
With his ear to the door, Urquhart could hear nothing for some seconds. Then there came to his ears a sound that was unearthly.
It was a low, continuous, moaning sound, like the howl of a dog in the distance. It grew louder gradually until at last it was close at hand, on the other side of the door.
There was something in the vastness of the place, in its stillness and its gloom, that was at once depressing and alarming. Harry Urquhart felt that he was rapidly losing confidence in himself. The great flight of steps without, the stone statues, the two carved giants at the entrance, the shadowy vault of the cave, pierced by shafts of light, and the solitary burning lamp—all these were mystical and weird.
The boy was well able to face danger, to take his life in his hands, but here he was confronted by what was suggestive of the supernatural. A feeling of fear possessed him—he knew not why. He drew back, shuddering, and turned quickly to the guide.
"Someone is coming!" he whispered.