Altogether it was an experience I have no desire to repeat, although I was in no actual danger for some distance.

Old Mortimer had built his tunnel well, and through all the years it had held safely, except where water had soaked through, rotting the timbers.

The candle was sputtering with a final effort to remain alight when I came to the first serious obstruction.

I had barely time in which to mark the nature of the obstacle before the flame died in the socket, leaving me in a blackness so profound it was like a weight.

For the moment I was practically paralyzed by fear, my muscles limp, my limbs trembling.