By the way, that's a capital idea about the secret staircase.

Who'd ever think the portrait concealed it ?" said Jack.
As he spoke he advanced to the portrait in an easy, natural manner, and touched the spring.
Of course it flew open.

The old man also drew near.
"That was my idea," he said, in a complacent tone.

"Of course we have to keep everything as secret as possible, and I flatter myself--" His remark came to a sudden pause.

He had incautiously got between Jack and the open door.