The lamp cast a dim light into the place, which was close and gloomy as a prison.
"There are two steps down," said Warden.

"One of them is badly broken, but it's worth your while to go in and have a look at our latest finds.
You had better go first, sir.

Be careful!" He turned to depart with the words, still ignoring Dot.

She was close to Hill, and something impelled her to lay a restraining hand on his shoulder as he took the first step down.
What followed happened with such stunning swiftness that her memory of it ever afterwards was a confused jumble of impressions, like the wild course of a nightmare.
She heard Warden swing round again in his tracks, but before she could turn he had caught her and flung her backwards over his arm.

With his other hand simultaneously he dealt Hill a blow in the back that sent him blundering down into the darkness, and then, with lightning rapidity, he banged the door upon his captive.