He condescended to show me the method of working it.

Approaching the two Caryatides, rest your hand on the forehead (midway between the eyebrows) of the figure which is on your left as you stand opposite to the fireplace, then press the head inwards as if you were pushing it against the wall behind.

By doing this, you set in motion the hidden machinery in the wall which turns the hearthstone on a pivot, and discloses the hollow place below.

There is room enough in it for a man to lie easily at full length.

The method of closing the cavity again is equally simple.