midnight
This was certainly not the avenue through which he had previously come with Sah-luma , . . and he soon felt uncomfortably convinced that he had somehow taken the wrong path . Perceiving a low iron gate standing open in front of him , he went thither and discovered a steep stone staircase leading down , down into what seemed to be a vast well , black and empty as a starless midnight . Peering doubtfully into this gloomy pit , he fancied he saw a small , blue flame wavering to and fro at the bottom , and , pricked by a sudden impulse of curiosity , he made up his mind to descend . He went down slowly and cautiously , counting each step as he placed his foot upon it , . .