Dark as were his thoughts his blue eyes were as soft as the periwinkle.

Intently he listened for any sound from the nether world, but all was as silent below as above; the house under the ground seemed to be but one more empty tenement in the void.

Was that boy asleep, or did he stand waiting at the foot of Slightly's tree, with his dagger in his hand?
There was no way of knowing, save by going down.

Hook let his cloak slip softly to the ground, and then biting his lips till a lewd blood stood on them, he stepped into the tree.

He was a brave man, but for a moment he had to stop there and wipe his brow, which was dripping like a candle.