But so much for the door! The money-lenders have not left us a door that
will stand a good kick. You may find our old doors in Wardour Street."
As he spoke, he set foot against the makeshift door, and away it went,
as he had predicted. Crashing on the steps as it fell, it turned over,
and a great splash arose at the bottom.
"Why, bless my heart, there is a flood of water there!" cried Stubbard,
peeping timidly down the steps, on which (if the light had been clear,
and that of his mind in the same condition) he might have seen the marks
of his own boots. "A flood of water, perhaps six feet deep! I could
scarcely have believed, but for that and the door, that these were not
the very vaults that we have examined. But what business has the water
there?"
"No business at all, any more than we have," Carne answered, with some
rudeness, for it did not suit him to encourage too warmly the friendship
of Captain Stubbard; "but I told you that the place becomes covered with
water whenever the ghost intends to walk. Probably there is not more
than a foot of water"--there was in fact about three inches--"and as you
are bound to carry out your duty--"
"My dear sir, I am satisfied, perfectly satisfied. Who could keep
gunpowder under water, or even in a flooded cellar? I shall have the
greatest pleasure in reporting that I searched Carne Castle--not of
course suspiciously, but narrowly, as we are bound to do, in execution
of our warrant--"
"If you would not mind looking in this direction," whispered Carne, who
could never be contented, "I think I could show you, just beyond the
murder-stone--yes, and it seems to be coming towards us, as white as a
winding-sheet; do come and look.
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