of, but nothing is more confusing than
to be standing in profound darkness, not knowing which way to go, the
slightest deviation beginning the confusion, which seems to augment.

Fred's attempt to regain touch of their position was simple enough. He
went forward, and after a step or two touched the wall.

"Here we are, Scar," he said. "Come along. The door is just here.
Yes; here it is."

He seized the edge, and it gave forth its dismal creak again.

"That's the wrong door," cried Scarlett, excitedly. "The one we just
came through."

"Is it?" said Fred, confusedly. "Yes, I suppose it is. Then we must
try again. How stupid!"

The second trial was more successful; and slowly and cautiously passing
through, they began directly after to make their way along the first
passages they had traversed, feeling their course round the angles at
the sharp turns, and with their spirits rising fast as they felt that
they were approaching the entrance; and as they at last reached it, with
the daylight shining through, feeling ready to laugh at their fears.

"Here we are, Scar," cried Fred, as he lay down and rolled himself over
and over till he was in the hollow stair, and directly after climbed
out, bent down and took the candlestick from his companion's hand,
leaving him free to follow, but Scarlett uttered a cry.

"What's the matter?"

"Something has got hold of my jerkin."

Fred burst out laughing.

"Why, it's only that knob. Meant to open the stair from inside, I
suppose."

_Crick-crack_! The board was drawn back into its place, and the boys
went slowly down into the hall.

"Why, Scar, you look quite white."

"Do I? So do you," was the reply. "Look, we're covered with dust.
Come along, and let's go to my room and have a wash."

"And then we can sit down and talk about it."

Scarlett nodded; and once more ascending the stairs, they passed over
the secret entry, unlocked the door in the corridor, and entered
Scarlett's bedchamber, where it took some time to get rid of the marks
of their journey. After which they sat down in the sunshine by the open
window, to discuss their find, and settle two or three points in
connection therewith.

CHAPTER FOUR.

"GOD SAVE THE KING!"

"Seems queer now," said Fred, as they gazed down into the garden, "that
we could have felt so scared."

Scarlett was silent.

"What are you thinking about!"

"Whether I oughtn't to tell father about that place."

"I sup