"
"What time was it?" asked Malipieri, slipping off his light overcoat.
"You went out at nine o'clock, sir. It could not have been more than
half an hour later."
"Light both lanterns. We must go down at once. See that there is
plenty of oil in them."
In five minutes both men were ready.
"You had better take your revolver, sir," suggested Masin.
Malipieri laughed.
"I have had that revolver since I was eighteen," he said, "and I have
never needed it yet. Our tools are there, and they are better than
firearms."
They went down the staircase quietly, fearing to wake the porter, and
kept close to the north wall till they reached the further end of the
courtyard. When they had passed the outer door at the head of the
winding staircase, Malipieri told Masin to lock it after them.
"We cannot padlock the other door from the inside," he explained, "for
there are no hasps. If the man managed to pass us he might get out
this way."
He led the way down, making as little noise as possible. Masin held up
his lantern, peering into the gloom over Malipieri's shoulder.
"No one could pass the other door without breaking it down," Malipieri
said.
They reached the floor of the cellars, which extended in both
directions from the foot of the staircase, far to the left by low,
dark vaults like railway tunnels, and a short distance to the right,
where they ended at the north-west corner.
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