Is there no way ?" "One," answered Ithiel, "but I fear to take it.

The staircase from the spring leads to an ancient tower that, I am told, once was a palace of the kings, but now for these many years has been deserted, for its entrance is bricked up lest thieves should make it their home.

None can come into that tower, nor is it used for purposes of war, not standing upon any wall, and there she might sit at peace and see the sun; yet I fear to let her do so." "It must be risked," answered Nehushta.

"Take me to visit this place." So Ithiel led her to the cistern, and from the cistern up a flight of steps to a little vaulted chamber, into which they entered through a stone trap-door, made of the same substance as the paving of the chamber, so that, when it was closed, none would guess that there was a passage beneath.

From this old store-room, for such it doubtless was, ran more steps, ending, to all appearance, in a blank wall.