Копи царя Соломона

           Andsosomehowthedaywentasthenighthadgone,if,indeed,onecanusethesetermswhereallwasdensestnight, andwhenIlitamatchtoseethetimeitwasseveno’clock. 

           Oncemoreweateanddrank,andaswedidsoanideaoccurredtome. 

           "Howisit,"saidI,"thattheairinthisplacekeepsfresh?Itisthickandheavy,butitisperfectlyfresh." 

           "Greatheavens!"saidGood,startingup,"Ineverthoughtofthat.Itcan’tcomethroughthestonedoor,forit’sair-tight,ifeveradoorwas.Itmustcomefromsomewhere. Ittherewerenocurrentofairintheplaceweshouldhavebeenstifledorpoisonedwhenwefirstcamein. Letushavealook." 

           Itwaswonderfulwhatachangethismeresparkofhopewroughtinus. Inamomentwewereallthreegropingaboutonourhandsandknees,feelingfortheslightestindicationofadraught. Presentlymyardourreceivedacheck. Iputmyhandonsomethingcold. ItwasdeadFoulata’sface. 

           Foranhourormorewewentonfeelingabout,tillatlastSirHenryandIgaveitupindespair,havingbeenconsiderablyhurtbyconstantlyknockingourheadsagainsttusks,chests,andthesidesofthechamber. ButGoodstillpersevered,saying,withanapproachtocheerfulness,thatitwasbetterthandoingnothing. 

           "Isay,youfellows,"hesaidpresently,inaconstrainedsortofvoice,"comehere." 

           Needlesstosaywescrambledtowardshimquicklyenough. 

           "Quatermain,putyourhandherewheremineis.Now,doyoufeelanything?" 

           "IthinkIfeelaircomingup." 

           "Nowlisten."Heroseandstampedupontheplace,andaflameofhopeshotupinourhearts.Itranghollow.