Stella had a feeling as though they were buried alive.
"That--that is the way, is it not ?" she asked.

"I was brought from below." "Yes; it is not far; see, the passage leads upward.

Come, we might as well learn what is ahead." They advanced slowly, keeping closely against the wall, and testing the floor cautiously before venturing a step.

A few yards plunged them into total darkness, and, although Cavendish had been conducted along there a prisoner, he retained small recollection of the nature of the passage.
Their progress was slow but silent, neither venturing to exchange speech, but with ears anxiously strained to catch the least sound.
Stella was conscious of the loud beating of her heart, the slight rasping of Cavendish's feet on the rock floor.

The slightest noise seemed magnified.