The red lips smiled, the blue eyes brightening.
"Tonepah shall leave within the hour," she promised, thrusting the small packet into the bosom of her dress.

"Now step within, Major, and I will close the door." I did as she requested, hearing the click of the lock behind me, and being as instantly plunged into darkness.

I waited a moment, my foot upon the first narrow stair, listening.

No sound reached me from without, and, with her animated face still before me in memory, I began to slowly feel my way down the circular staircase.

There was nothing dangerous about the passage, but with only the bare stone wall to touch with the hand I was obliged to grope along blindly.