'The only inhabited rooms on the second floor were the sitting-room
and bedroom occupied by Baron Rivar, and another room at some
distance from it, which had been the bedroom of the courier Ferrari.
'The rooms on the third floor and on the basement were
completely unfurnished, and in a condition of great neglect.
We inquired if there was anything to be seen below the basement--
and we were at once informed that there were vaults beneath,
which we were at perfect liberty to visit.
'We went down, so as to leave no part of the palace unexplored.
The vaults were, it was believed, used as dungeons in the old times--
say, some centuries since. Air and light were only partially admitted
to these dismal places by two long shafts of winding construction,
which communicated with the back yard of the palace, and the openings
of which, high above the ground, were protected by iron gratings.
The stone stairs leading down into the vaults could be closed at
will by a heavy trap-door in the back hall, which we found open.
The Baron himself led the way down the stairs. We remarked that it might
be awkward if that trap-door fell down and closed the opening behind us.
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