“You will only be alone for a moment,” he said, “for I shall follow you immediately; now lean close against the shaft. There! now plant your foot upon the bolt—so. Now you are all right.”
Brownie obeyed his directions without a fear, for she saw that he was only intent upon serving her, and she felt herself going slowly and smoothly downward.
A moment more and she found herself in another dark closet, or passage, from which a short flight of stone steps led up to an open door, through which a light shone, dimly lighting the place.
She stepped from the platform upon the stairs, and the shaft instantly began to ascend again.
Following the stairs, she soon found herself, as she had been told, in a large, airy, and comfortable room.
The walls were hung with ancient and faded tapestry, but the floor was carpeted with bright, warm colors, and the room was quite tastefully furnished.
It was lighted by two tall wax candles in silver candlesticks, and a cheerful fire burned in the grate. There were several bookcases well filled with nicely bound volumes, and a few fine engravings, with some beautiful drawings, hung upon the walls.
She had not time for a more minute survey of the apartment, for she was rejoined by her strange companion.
He smiled at her look of wonder and curiosity, and after shutting and locking the door, and dropping the tapestry over it, said:
“Now, I will explain how I happened to know that you were in trouble and needed assistance.”