Now they were both inside,
behind the tall curtain.
"Come on," Mike whispered. "We must see if there's anybody here, and,
if there isn't, put out the light." For on either side of the curtain
there was room for a streak of light which might by chance be seen
from the road.
Mike advanced round the left-side edge of the curtain; he had perceived
by now that it formed the back of some structure, though he could not
yet see of what nature the structure was; nor was he now examining. For
as he stepped out on the dais at the side of the canopy, his eyes were
engrossed by another feature of this strange apartment. He stretched back
his hand and caught hold of Neddy's brawny arm, pulling him forward. "See
that--that hole, Neddy?"
For the moment they forgot the lights; they forgot the possibility of an
occupant of the room--which indeed was, save for their own whispers,
absolutely still; they stood looking at the strange hole, and then into
one another's faces, for a few seconds. Then they stole softly nearer to
it. "That's a blasted funny 'ole!" breathed Neddy.
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