"It is so easy to lose one's self among the passages and staircases." They passed on through the great smoking-room, with its hunting trophies.

The lynx, with its face of Claude de Chauxville, grinned at them darkly from its pedestal.
Half-way down the stairs leading to the side door they met Steinmetz coming hastily up.

His face was white and drawn with horror.
"You must not go down here," he said, in a husky voice, barring the passage with his arm.
"Why not ?" "Go up again!" said Steinmetz breathlessly.

"You must not go down here." Paul laid his hand on the broad arm stretched across the stairway.

For a moment it almost appeared to be a physical struggle, then Steinmetz stepped aside.
"I beg of you," he said, "not to go down." And Paul went on, followed by Steinmetz, and behind them, Maggie.