As soon as I had crossed the threshold the door closed behind me and the old man carefully bolted it.

I stood in a large room, richly furnished, of which spiders had apparently long held possession.

Great cobwebs hung like hammocks from the ceiling, and the dust of years had settled over all.

Two human skeletons completely wrapped in cobwebs, stood facing me against the opposite wall.

Following my silent leader, I went through a long narrow passage, at the end of which was a heavy door fastened with large iron bolts.