The Professor took the key, opened the creaky door, and standing back, politely, but quite unconsciously, motioned me to precede him.

There was a delicious irony in the offer, in the courtliness of giving preference on such a ghastly occasion.

My companion followed me quickly, and cautiously drew the door to, after carefully ascertaining that the lock was a falling, and not a spring one.

In the latter case we should have been in a bad plight.

Then he fumbled in his bag, and taking out a matchbox and a piece of candle, proceeded to make a light.