I felt an imperious need of persisting; my curiosity had redoubled.

But what could I do?
Could I tear open this unyielding earth?
Overleap the mighty cliff?
Throwing one last defiant glare at the Great Eyrie, I followed my companions.
The return was effected without great difficulty.

We had only to slide down where we had so laboriously scrambled up.

Before five o'clock we descended the last slopes of the mountain, and the farmer of Wildon welcomed us to a much needed meal.
"Then you didn't get inside ?" said he.
"No," responded Mr.Smith, "and I believe that the inside exists only in the imagination of our country folk." At half past eight our carriage drew up before the house of the Mayor of Pleasant Garden, where we passed the night.

While I strove vainly to sleep, I asked myself if I should not stop there in the village and organize a new ascent.