There he halted a moment.

He could now breathe more freely, and, moreover, he fancied that he heard distant sounds, and could see flickering lights, like will-o'-the-wisps, on the pillars that supported the roof.

An observer might have thought, not distinguishing the face of the silent listener, that he showed hesitation; but the moment his countenance was seen, no one could have mistaken its expression of hope.
He then resumed his way, heading toward the light he thought he had seen.

As he advanced, the lights and the noises grew more distinct.

It was evident that the quarry was inhabited.