I went on to make a thorough examination of the various stairs and passages, and to try the doors that opened from them.

One or two small rooms near the hall were open, but there was nothing to see in them except old furniture, dusty with age and moth-eaten.

At last, however, I found one door at the top of the stairway which, though it seemed locked, gave a little under pressure.

I tried it harder, and found that it was not really locked, but that the resistance came from the fact that the hinges had fallen somewhat, and the heavy door rested on the floor.

Here was an opportunity which I might not have again, so I exerted myself, and with many efforts forced it back so that I could enter.