It seemed to him as though, if he looked round, he should see Paolo's body lying on the floor, ready to be dropped into the space below.

He raised the wood and set the trap back against the wall, peering down into the black depths.
A damp smell came up to his nostrils from the moist staircase.

He struck a match, and held it into the opening, to see in what direction the stairs led down.
Something moved behind him and made a little noise.

With a short cry of horror Marzio sprang back from the opening and looked round.

It was as though the body of the murdered man had stirred upon the floor.