There was the noise of a sharp click, and then a section of the ceiling, about four feet square, began to rise from one side.
Nick had found the secret trapdoor.
Pushing the trap open as he went, the detective continued to ascend the ladder until his head protruded through the opening.
For a moment he stopped to look around. Then he drew himself up to the floor above.
A few moments later he called down:
“Leave your lamp below, doctor, and come up. There is plenty of light.”
Abbott obeyed.
The two men found themselves standing in an apartment about ten feet square, inclosed by four solid walls. The roof of the house, twelve feet above, opened into the glass-inclosed cupola, which surmounted the building, and thus, as Nick and Abbott saw, in an instant, was furnished the medium for light and ventilation.
The floor and walls were deeply padded, and covered with white muslin.
The only furniture in the small room was a single bed, of iron, a chair and a small, rough table.