His companions, full of excitement, broke out upon him. Where was his enterprise, his romance, his courage! It was a deserted house. Perhaps its owners knew nothing of this door.
Their excitement was contagious; and he went with them in search of a lever. They found saplings that bent and dry sticks that broke. But their determination increased with the obstacles; and at last the right touch was given, the door was on the hinge and rolled slowly back, disclosing a dim descent between walls, with a light shining across from below.
All three recoiled a moment at their own success. “We enter at our risk,” said the German. “We have no right here.”
The other two went down cautiously, and after a moment called to him, and he followed. They had pried open an old chest from which the lock dropped almost at a touch, and were eagerly pulling out the twigs and dry leaves with which it was filled. All had the same thought. Surely such pains would be taken only to conceal a treasure. And it must have been there a very long time.
One of them went up to keep watch while the other two worked, changing hands; for the chest was large, and the débris could be removed only in sifting handfuls.
When the bottom was reached, a chorus of somewhat bitter laughter rose; for there was nothing there but a few rough stones. It had evidently been prepared as a mockery, probably long years before.
They prepared to go on their way. But first they went to the mouth of the cave, and outside on the narrow ledge. There was no passage. Only chasms, precipices, and a dashing torrent that sprinkled them as it fell, met their eyes.
They went up, leaving the door open, mounted their donkeys, and started for the station.
At a little distance down through the pines they met a man and woman coming up. The woman’s face was covered with a veil, the man only nodded in passing them.
“Don Claudio Loredan!” said Elena to herself when they had passed. “What in the name of heaven brings him here!”