The smith lit a lamp and handed it to the squire, along with a key.
“Can you give me any directions?” said Learmont.
“Take the second passage to your right and look closely on the ground as you go on.”
Learmont took the lamp and advanced to the old oaken door. His hand trembled as he turned the rusty lock, and in another moment he had passed through, and was lost to the sight of the confederates in the smithy.
In less than two minutes, he returned and staggered to a seat.
“You have seen it?” said Britton.
“No,” answered Learmont. “I—I thought I had the nerve—but for my life I could not proceed three steps in that awful place.”
“Do you consent now to our conditions?” asked Gray.
“Who has the—the papers?”
“I,” replied Britton.