He had
acted on an impulse, which was strengthened until it looked plausible
by the thought of the intense pleasure he would take in showing her
the wonderful discovery, and in leading her safely through the
mysterious intricacies of the strange place. It had been a very
selfish impulse after all, and if he really let her come the next day,
there might even be a little danger to her.
He let himself in and locked the postern door behind him. The porter
and his wife were asleep and the glass window of the lodge door was
quite dark. Malipieri lighted a wax taper and went upstairs.
Masin was waiting, and opened when he heard his master's footsteps on
the landing. As a rule, he went to bed, if Malipieri went out in the
evening; both men were usually tired out by their day's work.
"What is the matter?" Malipieri asked.
"There is somebody in the vaults," Masin answered. "I had left my pipe
on a stone close to the padlocked door and when you were gone I took a
lantern and went down to get it. When I came near the door I was sure
I heard some one trying it gently from the other side. I stopped to
listen and I distinctly heard footsteps going away. I ran forward and
tried to find a crack, to see if there were a light, but the door is
swollen with the dampness and fits tightly. Besides, by the time I had
reached it the person inside must have got well away.
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