They forced the spring and opened it.

The porter turned his lantern on the widening space.

Just as Gerald was raising the lid very slowly to save the contents from being scattered by the wind, the man turned his head to answer an approaching hail.

Gerald raised the lid a little higher and suddenly closed it with a bang.
"There's folks coming at last!" the porter exclaimed, turning around excitedly.

"They've been a time and no mistake.