A flight of steps led down to the lower level and after a second's hesitation she swung her legs over the cavity and began her descent.
She was in a cellar slightly smaller than that above her.

The light she had seen came from an inner apartment which would be underneath the kitchen of the house.

She made her way cautiously along, stepping on tip-toe.

The first of the rooms she came to was well-furnished.

There was a thick carpet on the floor, comfortable easy-chairs, a little bookcase well filled, and a reading lamp.