They were, moreover, wet and slimy, and so narrow that it was only possible for one man to descend them at once.
When they reached the bottom they found themselves standing in a narrow passage, the walls of which were composed of solid stone, in many places finely carved.

The air was close, and from the fact that now and again bats dashed past them into the deeper darkness, they argued that there must be some way of communicating with the open air at the further end.
"This is just what the Frenchman told me," said Kitwater, and his voice echoed away along the passage like distant thunder.

"He said we should find a narrow corridor at the foot of the steps, and then the Treasure Chamber at the further end.

So far it looks all right.

Let us move on, my friends." There was no need for him to issue such an invitation.