“The utensils may date back to the Middle Ages, but the lighting is modern,” he said. “Our friends use incandescent mantles.”
He continued his way. The tunnel ended in another and a larger cave, with, on the opposite side, the first steps of a staircase that led upward.
“It’s the ascent of the Needle beginning,” said Ganimard. “This is more serious.”
But one of his men called him:
“There’s another flight here, sir, on the left.”
And, immediately afterward, they discovered a third, on the right.
“The deuce!” muttered the inspector. “This complicates matters. If we go by this way, they’ll make tracks by that.”
“Shall we separate?” asked Beautrelet.
“No, no—that would mean weakening ourselves. It would be better for one of us to go ahead and scout.”
“I will, if you like—”