THE TUNNEL Fred found the secret passage much less confusing than he had thought it likely to be.

As soon as he had stepped in, the panels slid back into place, and the passage was immediately dark.

But Boris had had time to find an electric torch for him, and had told him where to find another--or two or three, for that matter--when that was exhausted.
"We've always kept them there in case of emergencies," he had explained.
So Fred had felt assured of a supply of light, which was the one absolutely necessary thing if, as was entirely possible, the German soldiers stayed in the house for any time.

One other thing, of course, was necessary; food and drink.

And that, too, he knew where to find.
Boris had told him of a store of compressed foods, and of fresh water, piped into this amazing passageway from the outer entrance, far beyond the limits of the gardens and grounds of the house.
The first thing Fred did was to switch on the light of his torch and inspect the warren in which he had found sanctuary.