“But how did you know I was here?” and she looked perplexed, for she could not detect so much as a rathole anywhere. “I overheard all that passed between you and those women,” he answered, with a nod in the direction of Isabel’s room. She looked more astonished than ever. “Come this way and I will explain it all to you,” he said. He stooped and picked up the candle, and then moved with difficulty to the opposite end of the cell. Holding the light close to the floor, he continued: “Do you see that semi-circular block of stone about a foot and a half in diameter?” “Yes.” “And what looks like a huge iron bolt set close to that small round shaft of stone which runs clear to the ceiling?” “Yes.” “If you will step upon that block, and press your foot firmly upon that bolt, you will find that this stone pillar will begin to slide slowly down. When you have descended about four feet you will see a short flight of stone steps; step upon these and this shaft will return to its place. Follow the stone steps and they will lead you to a comfortable room; I left the door open, and there is a light within, so that you will have no difficulty in finding the way.” “But you—you will have to return here,” Brownie said, hesitatingly. It all seemed so wonderful and mysterious to her, that for a moment she could scarcely comprehend it. “As soon as the shaft returns to its place, I will join you; only one can go at a time, because the platform is so narrow,” he replied. Brownie lifted her clear eyes once more and searched his face. It was a noble countenance, and full of marks of pain and patient suffering, and while she looked it seemed suddenly to grow strangely like some other face which she had seen, but whose she could not at that moment recall. “Yes, I will go,” she said, and stepped upon that semi-circular block of stone. “You will only be alone for a moment,” he said, “for I shall follow you immediately; now lean close against the shaft. There! now plant your foot upon the bolt—so. Now you are all right.” Brownie obeyed his directions without a fear, for she saw that he was only intent upon serving her, and she felt herself going slowly and smoothly downward. A moment more and she found herself in another dark closet, or passage, from which a short flight of stone steps led up to an open door, through which a light shone, dimly lighting the place. She stepped from the platform upon the stairs, and the shaft instantly began to ascend again. Following the stairs, she soon found herself, as she had been told, in a large, airy, and comfortable room. The walls were hung with ancient and faded tapestry, but the floor was carpeted with bright, warm colors, and the room was quite tastefully furnished.