Then, too, for all he knew there might be somebody else in the hall. He could see nothing. Half a dozen men might have been standing there without his knowing it.
The flash of light had come so suddenly and been so speedily withdrawn that it had dazzled him without disclosing anything.
Nick decided to bide his time.
“Come this way,” said Benton, and he took Nick by the arm.
A door opened. Nick knew this by the current of air, though he could not see the door, nor did he hear it move upon its hinges.
The hand upon his arm guided him into a perfectly dark room, where he was presently told to sit down. He found a bench behind him, and he sat upon it because there did not seem to be anything else to do.
Ten minutes passed and absolutely nothing happened.
Nick heard nothing of Benton. He could not be sure that the old man was still in the room.
By close listening, however, Nick satisfied himself that he was not alone.
There was a sound of suppressed breathing, the faint noise made by persons who are trying to keep still.