Then they
walked through a long passageway, the brick walls of which showed
the marks of successive restorations, and, in spots, were dripping
with water. The earth, also, was very damp.
"We are passing under the pond," said Devanne, somewhat nervously.
At last, they came to a stairway of twelve steps, followed by three
others of twelve steps each, which they mounted with difficulty,
and then found themselves in a small cavity cut in the rock. They
could go no further.
"The deuce!" muttered Holmes, "nothing but bare walls. This is
provoking."
"Let us go back," said Devanne. "I have seen enough to satisfy
me."
But the Englishman raised his eye and uttered a sigh of relief.
There, he saw the same mechanism and the same word as before. He
had merely to work the three letters. He did so, and a block of
granite swung out of place. On the other side, this granite block
formed the tombstone of Duke Rollo, and the word "Thibermesnil" was
engraved on it in relief. Now, they were in the little ruined
chapel, and the detective said:
"The other eye leads to God; that means, to the chapel."
"It is marvelous!" exclaimed Devanne, amazed at the clairvoyance
and vivacity of the Englishman.
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