Suddenly a gleam of light shone down.

A trap-door above his head was slid a few inches back.

The flare of an electric torch shone upon his face, a man's mocking voice addressed him.
"Not the great Sanford Quest?
This surely cannot be the greatest detective in the world walking so easily into the spider's web!" "Any chance of getting out ?" Quest asked laconically.
"None!" was the bitter reply.

"You've done enough mischief.

You're there to rot!" "Why this animus against me, my friend Macdougal ?" Quest demanded.