Passing up the steps of the hall
that also stood open, they entered.
Here the place was in confusion, as though those who dwelt there had
left in haste. The mouldering remains of a meal lay on the broad oak
table; a great dower-chest inlaid with ivory, but half filled with arms
and armour, stood wide. A silver crucifix that had hung above was torn
down and cast upon the floor, perchance by thieves who had found it too
heavy to bear away. The earthquake had thrown over a carved cabinet and
some bowls of glazed ware that stood upon it. These lay about shattered
amidst shields and swords thrown from the walls, where pictures of
saints or perchance of dead Cattrinas hung all awry. In short, if an
army had sacked it this stately hall could scarce have seemed more
ruined.
Hugh and Dick crossed it to a stairway of chestnut wood whereof every
newel-post was surmounted by the crest of a swan, and searched the
saloons above, where also there was wreck and ruin. Then, still mounting
the stair, they came to the bed-chambers. From one of these they
retreated hastily, since on entering it hundreds of flies buzzing in a
corner advised them that something lay there which they did not wish to
see.
"Let us be going. I grow sick," exclaimed Hugh.
But Dick, who had the ears of a fox, held up his hand and said:
"Hark! I hear a voice."
Following the sound, he led his master down two long corridors that
ended in a chapel.
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