I felt that I was passing down such a gorge as that up which I had come from the boat, but far narrower, for I had not gone far before I could touch the rocky walls with either hand.
Then I came to steps, and they were steep, but below me still sounded the bell, and the hoarse breakers were very near at hand.

I expected to see the lights of some little fishing village every moment, but the wind that rushed up the narrow space between the cliff walls and brought the salt spray with it almost blinded me.
Suddenly the stairway turned so sharply that I almost fell, and then I found my way downward barred by what seemed a great rough-faced rock that was right across the gorge, if one may call a mere cleft in the cliffs so, and barred my way, while the strange bell sounded from beyond it.

But it was sheltered under this barrier, and I felt along it to find out where I had to climb over, thinking that the stairway must lead up its face.

But there was no stair, and as I groped my hand came on cut stone, and when I felt it I knew that I had come to a doorway, for I found the woodwork, but in no way could I find how it opened.
I kicked on it, therefore, and shouted, but it seemed that none heard.

The bell went on and then stopped, and I thought I heard footsteps on the far side of the barrier.