Part 6 (1/2)
”Hold the light up a little higher, Scar,” whispered Fred.
Scarlett raised his left hand to the full length of his arm; there was a soft _dab_, and Fred uttered a subdued ”Oh!” as his companion's right hand grasped his with spasmodic violence.
For Scarlett had pressed the candle up against the stone ceiling, and the arched surface thoroughly performed the duty of extinguisher, leaving them in total darkness.
Half a minute must have pa.s.sed, during which they were stunned by the horror of their position, before Scarlett exclaimed--
”Oh, Fred, what shall we do?”
There was no answer, Fred holding the other's hand tightly, and it was not until the question was repeated that he uttered a low gasping sigh.
”We can find our way back,” he whispered, in an awe-stricken voice.
”There's nothing to mind, for we can't go wrong.”
”But we might take a wrong turning, and never find our way out.”
”There are no turnings,” replied Fred, stolidly. ”Come along.”
”Listen! Wasn't that something?”
”I don't hear anything, only the echo. Hoi!”
Fred half shouted the last word, and as they listened it seemed to run right away in an echoing, hollow way, to die at last in quite a whisper.
”What a horrible place!” faltered Scarlett. ”Let's make haste back. I say, don't you feel scared?”
”I don't know,” whispered back Fred. ”I feel as if I do. I'd give anything to be out in the suns.h.i.+ne again, and I wish we had not come.
Let's make haste.”
Scarlett needed no further urging, but pressed on so closely behind his companion that they seemed to move as one, Fred pa.s.sing his hand along the cold stone wall as they went on, up and up the apparently endless flight of steps, till the landing was reached, and the leader grasped the door.
”There!” he cried, as they pa.s.sed into the little room, Scarlett closing the door behind them, the hinges creaking dismally. ”Now for the other door. I don't seem to mind so much now.”
”I don't think I do; but it seems very queer. What's that?”
”Only me. I touched you with my hand.”
”It felt so cold on my cheek, it sent a s.h.i.+ver through me. Let's make haste.”
”You go first this time, then. You remember where the door is?”
”Yes, I remember,” replied Scarlett. ”It was just a few steps over here and--I say, Fred, it's gone!”
”Nonsense! It can't have gone. Feel about with your hands.”
Scarlett felt here and there, and then uttered a low sigh.
”I can't find it. Come over here.”
Fred crept to him, and as he felt about in the utter darkness, he touched his companion, who uttered a cry and rushed away from him.