Something entered which rumbled like thunder.

They leaned out of window, and saw at the foot of the steps a sort of big, oblong chest, painted black, yellow, red, and green, on four wheels, drawn by post-horses, and surrounded by men in long overcoats, and with fierce-looking faces, holding torches.

In the gloom, and with the help of imagination, this vehicle appeared completely black.

A door could be seen, but no other opening.

It resembled a great coffin on wheels.