Around him, in scattered groups, lying in their cloaks or leaning against stone benches that ran around the chamber, were about twenty bandits, each with his rifle within reach. At the far end, barely visible like a shadow, a guard paced back and forth before a dark alcove that was only distinguishable because the darkness seemed even thicker there.
When the Count decided Franz had seen enough of this dramatic scene, he raised a finger to his lips for silence. Climbing the three steps to the burial chamber corridor, he entered through the middle archway and walked toward Vampa, who was so absorbed in his book that he didn't hear the footsteps.
"Who goes there?" the guard cried out. Less distracted than his chief, he saw a shadow approaching in the lamplight.
At this challenge, Vampa jumped up, instantly drawing a pistol from his belt. In a moment, all the bandits were on their feet, and twenty rifles were pointed at the Count.
