Reflecting that no doubt it was here that the quarrymen kept, or had kept tools and explosives, I gave it a push.

I suppose it had been left unfastened accidentally, or that something had gone wrong with the lock; at any rate it swung open.

Pursuing my researches as to the depth of the marble I advanced boldly and, the place being dark, struck a match.
Evidently the marble did continue, as I could see by the glittering roof of a cavern, for such it was.

But the floor attracted my attention as well as the roof, for on it were numerous cases not unlike coffins, bearing the stamp of a well-known Birmingham firm, labelled "fencing iron" and addressed to Messrs.

Marnham & Rodd, Transvaal, _via_ Delagoa Bay.
I knew at once what they were, having seen the like before, but if any doubt remained in my mind it was easy to solve, for as it chanced one of the cases was open and half emptied.