That encouraged him.

He decided that if any soldiers had been left on guard in the place, they would have been in there.

And when he came near to the panel by which he had entered, when he let his torch wink out he saw that there was a light ahead of him.
For a moment he caught his breath, wondering if some enemy had discovered the secret, and was waiting to pounce on him.

But he went on, because he decided that if anyone were waiting they must know already that he was in the tunnel.

And in a moment he came face to face with old Vladimir.
"The coast is clear, excellency," said the old Russian.