He held the door so that he could slam it in our faces if required.
The guide made no answer.

I gave my name.

The man opened the door wider.
"Lailtak sa'idi, effendi! Hishkur Allah! Come in, mister!" The guide led the donkeys away to some invisible place.

I crossed the threshold, my host holding his tin lantern carefully to show the two steps leading down to a flag-stone floor.

He bolted the door the moment I was inside.