She did as I told her. Softly her steps fell in behind mine; and thus with wary tread and peering eyes we made our way to the remote end, where we found--or rather where I found--that the break which I had noticed in the uniformity of the wall was occasioned by a pile of old boxes, arranged so as to make steps up to a hole cut through the floor above. With a sharp movement I wheeled upon her. "Do you see that?" I asked, pointing back over my shoulder. "Steps," she cried, "going up into that part of the building where--where--" "Will you attempt them with me? Or will you stay here, in the darkness?" "I--will--stay--here." It was said with shortened breath; but she seemed less frightened than when we started to cross the cellar. At all events a fine look of daring had displaced the tremulous aspect which had so changed the character of her countenance a few minutes before. "I will make short work of it," I assured her as I hastily ran up the steps. "Drop your face into your hands and you will not be conscious of the darkness. Besides, I will talk to you all the time. There! I have worked my way up through the hole. I have placed my lantern on the floor above and I see--What! are you coming?" "Yes, I am coming." Indeed, she was close beside me, maintaining her footing on the toppling boxes by a grip on my disengaged arm. "Can you see?" I asked. "Wait! let me pull you up; we might as well stand on the floor as on these boxes." Climbing into the room above, I offered her my hand, and in another moment we stood together in the noisome precincts of that abominable spot, with whose doleful story she had just made me acquainted. A square of impenetrable gloom confronted me at the first glance--what might not be the result of a second? I turned to consult the appearance of the lady beside me before I took this second look. Had she the strength to stand the ordeal? Was she as much moved--or possibly more moved than myself? As a woman, and the intimate friend of the Ocumpaughs, she should be. But I could not perceive that she was. For some reason, once in view of this mysterious place, she was strangely, inexplicably, impassibly calm. "You can bear it?" I queried. "I must--only end it quickly." "I will," I replied, and I held out my lantern. I am not a superstitious man, but instinctively I looked up before I looked about me. I have no doubt that Mrs. Carew did the same. But no stains were to be seen on those blackened boards now; or rather, they were dark with one continuous stain; and next moment I was examining with eager scrutiny the place itself.