Bonner laughed at them and went down alone.

It was nauseous with age and the smell of damp earth, but it was cleaner there than above stairs.

The cellar was smaller than either of the living rooms, and was to be reached only through the kitchen.

There was no exit leading directly to the exterior of the house, but there was one small window at the south end.

Bonner examined the room carefully and then rejoined the party.