She stopped at last before a door at the end of a passage, dimly lighted by a lamp at the farther end.

There was a light under the door, and a bright chink in the key-hole, but though we listened intently we could hear nothing stirring within.
"Knock again," said Charles to Evelyn.

"Louder!" as her hand failed her.
There was no answer.

As we listened the light within disappeared.
"Bring that lamp from the end of the passage," said Charles to Evelyn, and she brought it.
"Hold it there," he said; "and you, Middleton, stand aside." He took a few steps backward, and then flung himself against the door with his whole force.

It cracked and groaned, but resisted.
"The lock is old.