Now and then the little greenish-white light will-o'-the-wisped ahead, flickering hither, yon.

No one spoke a word.
Every footstep had to be laid down with care.

After three minutes' progress, the Master stopped, turned, held up his hand.
"Absolute silence, now," he breathed.

"The outer guards are now within an eighth of a mile." They moved forward again.

The light was no longer shown, but the Master confidently knew the way.