The princess drew her chair close to Curdie: she would rather it were not so dark, she said.

She was afraid of something--she could not tell what; nor could she give any reason for her fear but that all was so dreadfully still.
When it had been dark about an hour, Curdie thought Lina might have returned; and reflected that the sooner he went the less danger was there of any assault while he was away.

There was more risk of his own presence being discovered, no doubt, but things were now drawing to a crisis, and it must be run.

So, telling the princess to lock all the doors of the bedchamber, and let no one in, he took his mattock, and with here a run, and there a halt under cover, gained the door at the head of the cellar stair in safety.

To his surprise he found it locked, and the key was gone.