This thought reassured me somewhat, and restored my courage.

It was in something of the same fashion which has hitherto carried me out of tight places as well as into them that at last I pushed open the low, narrow door at the foot of the rock-hewn staircase and entered the crypt.
Without delay I made my way to the glass-covered tomb set beneath the hanging chain.

I could see by the flashing of the light around me that my hand which held the lantern trembled.

With a great effort I steadied myself, and raising the lantern, turned its light down into the sarcophagus.
Once again the fallen lantern rang on the tingling glass, and I stood alone in the darkness, for an instant almost paralyzed with surprised disappointment.
The tomb was empty! Even the trappings of the dead had been removed.
I knew not what happened till I found myself groping my way up the winding stair.

Here, in comparison with the solid darkness of the crypt, it seemed almost light.