"I am sure-footed," she said, with a little laugh.
"This is the easiest part," he answered. "There are places where you
will have to be careful."
"Then you will help me."
She thought it would, be pleasant to rest her hand on his arm, where
the way was not easy, and she knew instinctively that he hoped she
would do so. They reached the floor of the cellar, and Masin walked in
front, lighting the way. Sassi looked about him; he had been in the
cellars two or three times before.
"They did not get in by this way when the first attempt was made," he
said.
"No," answered Malipieri. "I cannot find out how they made an
entrance."
"There used to be a story of an oubliette that was supposed to be
somewhere in the house," said Sabina.
"I have found it. You will see it in a moment, for we have to pass
through the bottom of it."
"How amusing! I never saw one."
They came to the first breach in the cellar wall. A small lamp had
been placed on a stone in a position to illuminate the entrance, and
was burning brightly. Masin had lighted two others, further on, and
had covered the bones in the dry well with pieces of sacking.
Malipieri went up the causeway first. At first he held out his hand to
Sabina, but she shook her head and smiled. There would be no
satisfaction in being helped over an easy place; she should like him
to help her where it would need some strength and skill to do so.
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