These only gave light enough to accentuate the gloom.

The hand that held mine now released it, and with a sigh I realized that I was alone.

After a few moments more of the groaning of the winch and clanking of the chain there was a sharp sound of stone meeting stone; then there was silence.

I listened acutely, but could not hear near me the slightest sound.

Even the cautious, restrained breathing around me, of which up to then I had been conscious, had ceased.