Would tipping the stone again cause it to resume its former position against the wall? He thought so.
The next question he asked himself was, Should he unarmed and without a light, attempt to explore the wonderful place he had so curiously discovered?
CHAPTER XI.
IN THE SECRET CRYPT.
Having discovered so much, our hero could not be content to leave the place without knowing something more. He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
Of course there was a way or means of closing and opening the trap from below; but he did not care then to stop for the investigation of that part of the problem.
So he went out and took a survey around to make sure that no one else was in sight, then returned and made ready for the descent into the unknown regions.
He had no weapon save his battered leopard wood staff; but that had served him once, and it might serve him again should the need present itself.
He took one more look around, then put his foot upon the ladder and began the descent. The distance was not far, perhaps twelve to fourteen feet, at the end of which he alighted upon a bottom of rock and quite rough.
As nearly as could be judged with the aid of the light he had, he concluded the crypt to be mostly the work of nature. Evidently the old monks or whoever had built the chapel, had found the cavern beneath and had thus utilized it.