y the
horror of their position, before Scarlett exclaimed--

"Oh, Fred, what shall we do?"

There was no answer, Fred holding the other's hand tightly, and it was
not until the question was repeated that he uttered a low gasping sigh.

"We can find our way back," he whispered, in an awe-stricken voice.
"There's nothing to mind, for we can't go wrong."

"But we might take a wrong turning, and never find our way out."

"There are no turnings," replied Fred, stolidly. "Come along."

"Listen! Wasn't that something?"

"I don't hear anything, only the echo. Hoi!"

Fred half shouted the last word, and as they listened it seemed to run
right away in an echoing, hollow way, to die at last in quite a whisper.

"What a horrible place!" faltered Scarlett. "Let's make haste back. I
say, don't you feel scared?"

"I don't know," whispered back Fred. "I feel as if I do. I'd give
anything to be out in the sunshine again, and I wish we had not come.
Let's make haste."

Scarlett needed no further urging, but pressed on so closely behind his
companion that they seemed to move as one, Fred passing his hand along
the cold stone wall as they went on, up and up the apparently endless
flight of steps, till the landing was reached, and the leader grasped
the door.

"There!" he cried, as they passed into the little room, Scarlett closing
the door behind them, the hinges creaking dismally. "Now for the other
door. I don't seem to mind so much now."

"I don't think I do; but it seems very queer. What's that?"

"Only me. I touched you with my hand."

"It felt so cold on my cheek, it sent a shiver through me. Let's make
haste."

"You go first this time, then. You remember where the door is?"

"Yes, I remember," replied Scarlett. "It was just a few steps over here
and--I say, Fred, it's gone!"

"Nonsense! It can't have gone. Feel about with your hands."

Scarlett felt here and there, and then uttered a low sigh.

"I can't find it. Come over here."

Fred crept to him, and as he felt about in the utter darkness, he
touched his companion, who uttered a cry and rushed away from him.

"Don't be a coward, Scar. It was only I."

"I'm not a coward," cried Scarlett, angrily; "only I fancied something
was going to touch me, and you came so quietly. Where are you?"

"Here. And, I say, you made me turn about, and I don't know which nay
the door is now. But we'll soon find it."

Nothing seems more simple to talk