"’Of a truth, yes, Madame,’ exclaimed our thief. But the Duke, taking no notice, said, ’Let us take this road to the left.’ The thief said nothing, but shouldered his load, and we went on as before. It was no time to argue; nor, indeed, did it seem to matter which way of the many we chose, so we followed after our Duke, little conscious, we boys, of the greatness of our peril. I suppose we must have gone for ten minutes along a narrowing tunnel, when my mother called back to us to stop, and the Duke said, ’We are in a wet place. But,’ he added, presently, ’it is not deep; let us go on,’ and we started afresh. "As we moved ankle-deep in water, a strange sound, like the fall of something, broke out behind us, and a great rush of damp wind went by us like a live thing. "’Halloa!’ cried our thief. ’Keep still!’ and so saying, hid the lantern under the skirt of his coat. I was dreadfully scared, for these dark caverns were full of mysterious noises. As yet we had heard none like this which now we heard. In the dark I seized the thief’s coat-tail for company. At intervals there were lesser noises, and when at last they ceased, the Duke cried out, ’Heavens! What was that?’ "’I will see, Monsieur,’ said the thief. ’I shall not go far.’ This time the Duke made no remonstrance. The thief was away not more than five minutes. He left the lantern beside my mother. "’Well?’ said she, as he reappeared. "’Madame,’ he answered, the tunnel from the wine-cellar has fallen in: a great tumble of stone fills up all the way.’ "’And to go back is impossible,’ said the Duke. "’Heaven has willed for us that we go on, and at least now no one can pursue us,’ said my mother. "’That is so,’ said the Duke; and we moved along, perceiving that the way grew broader until we were standing in a space so great that no walls could be seen.