Whentheyreachedthebottomofthestepshestruckalightfromatinder-box，andunlockedthemiddleoneofthreedoorswhichappearedinthewhitewashedwallopposite。Theraysofthecandlefelluponthevaultandsidesofalonglowcellar，litteredwithdecayedwoodworkfromotherpartsofthehall，amongthereststair-
balusters，carvedfinials，tracerypanels，andwainscoting。Butwhatmostattractedhereyewasasmallflagstoneturnedupinthemiddleofthefloor，aheapofearthbesideit，andameasuring-tape。Derrimanwenttothecornerofthecellar，andpulledoutaclampedboxfromunderthestraw。’Youberatherheavy，mydear，eh？’hesaid，affectionatelyaddressingtheboxasheliftedit。’Butyouaregoingtobeputinasafeplace，youknow，orthatrascalwillgetholdofye，andcarryyeoffandruinme。’Hethenwithsomedifficultyloweredtheboxintothehole，rakedintheearthuponit，andloweredtheflagstone，whichhewasalongtimeinfixingtohissatisfaction。MissGarland，whowasromanticallyinterested，helpedhimtobrushawaythefragmentsoflooseearth；andwhenhehadscatteredovertheflooralittleofthestrawthatlayabout，theyagainascendedtoupperair。
’Isthisall，sir？’saidAnne。
’Justamomentlonger，honey。Willyoucomeintothegreatparlour？’
Shefollowedhimthither。