The cellar door was, of course, locked; there was no sign of a key, and it appeared to be a heavy door.
They were compelled to return to the bedroom where Miss Spencer was incarcerated, in order to demand the key of the cellar from her.

She still lay without movement on the bed.
'Tom's got it,' she replied, faintly, to their question: 'Tom's got it, I swear to you.

He took it for safety.' 'Then how do you feed your prisoner ?' Racksole asked sharply.
'Through the grating,' she answered.
Both men shuddered.

They felt she was speaking the truth.

For the third time they went to the cellar door.