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.
"Sure," I said, halting. "Out of breath?"
"No," she said. "How much farther?"
"I don't know," I replied. "It seems a different distance each time I
come this way. If you want to go back and have dinner, we can see it
tomorrow. You've had a busy day."
"No," she answered. "But I wouldn't mind your holding me for a minute."
It seemed an awkward place to get romantic, so I cleverly deduced that
there was another reason, said nothing, and obliged.
It took me a long while to realize that she was crying.
She was very good at concealing it.
"What's the matter?" I finally asked.
"Nothing," she replied. "Nervous reaction, maybe. Primitive reflex.
Darkness. Claustrophobia. Like that."
"Let's go back."
"No"
So we started down again.
About a half minute later I saw something white near the side of a
lower step. I slowed. Then I realized that it was only a handkerchief. A
little nearer, however, and I saw that it was held in place by a dagger.
Also, there were markings upon it. I halted, reached out, flattened it, and
read. "THIS ONE, DAMN IT! -GERARD," It said.
"Careful here," I said to Coral.
I prepared to step over it, but on an impulse I tested it lightly with
one foot. No squeaks. I shifted more weight onto it. Nothing. It felt fine.
I stood on it. The same. I shrugged.
"Careful, anyway," I said
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