"I am not enthusiastic about trying to climb a flight of broken, irregular stairs.

And anyway, what do you think you can see up there?
It's misty and getting dark.

No, have a heart." "What difference is it to you where you take your airing?
Come on.

I assure you you will see something unusual." "Oh! you brought me here on purpose ?" "Yes." "Why didn't you say so ?" He followed Des Hermies into the darkness under the porch.

At the back of the cellarway a little essence lamp, hanging from a nail, lighted a door, the tower entrance.
For a long time, in utter darkness, they climbed a winding stair.