The entire cabinet swung outward, disclosing a narrow passageway and a dimly lighted flight of stairs leading upward. “This isn’t supposed to be a secret doorway,” she said. “It’s just a space saver until the new wing is finished. You can see it from the top of the stairs—but don’t open the outer door unless you’re forced to. Hurry, get inside—” “Wait!” said Merra. “Here comes Tancred.” “Don’t tell me there are three of you!” “He’s my nightingale. He keeps watch for us.” Tancred swooped into the room and settled on her shoulder. They slipped through the opening, and Mary Day swung the cabinet back in place behind them. Brian climbed the stairs to a small cubicle with a barred door on one side. The place was a rough wooden structure, obviously temporary; beyond it there were sounds of a giant machine and men working. He was tempted to open the door, but partially satisfied his curiosity by peering through cracks in the wall and the doorframe. A short distance away from the door a deep excavation was being made by a monstrous digger that reminded him of a huge insect.
