Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 4).djvu/140

 the sound seemed to come from no great distance, and he heard voices as if extremely merry.

He continued to ascend with great caution, and entered a sort of lobby, from whence he heard the voices more distinctly; to go forwards alone, he thought would be madness, as he must expect instant death, if discovered. He was now sufficiently assured of what mind the inhabitants were, and proper steps might be taken to secure them through this passage.

He turned, therefore, to make good his retreat; he heard the noise of feet directly over his head, and stepped forwards as quick and softly as possible, blaming his own rashness for advancing so far; he looked for the stairs, in his confusion he had past them; for this lobby went the whole length of the building. Sensible of his error, he was going back, when he heard some one coming down stairs, and the glimmering of a light approaching, he could not advance, but turned his lanthorn