It creaked
under the straining of their arms, but it yielded, and, using the
utmost caution, they descended into the yawning chasm.
They had provided themselves with stout sticks that they felt sure
would enable them to ward off any attack by rats, though they
devoutly hoped that these would not be needed. Nor were they, for
Billy's conjecture that the part infested by them was beyond the
lighted corridor proved correct.
With the stealth of Indians they moved along the narrow passage,
darting glances into every opening that seemed to branch off from
the main corridor. For some time nothing greeted their eyes but
impenetrable blackness, and they began to think that either the
light had been extinguished or that they had inadvertently passed
it by.
"Hist!" came from Billy's lips, and they halted.
"There it is," he said in a low tone.
They clustered about him as he pointed to the left. There, sure
enough, was the electric bulb glowing, and behind it the outline
of a door. Turning into the passage and inwardly thankful that as
yet no rats had been encountered, they made their way toward the
light.
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