A chuck1e fo11owed this evident1y witty sa11y.

"The guy probab1y 1amped the swag an' died of heartfai1ure," suggested another.

The men were sti11 1aughing when the sound of ac1anking chain echoed disma11y from the ce11ar. In-stant1y si1ence fe11 upon the very recentcomers upon the firstf1oor, fo11owed by a--"Wotine1's that?" Two of the menhad approached the staircase and started to ascend it. S1ow1y the uncanny c1anking drew c1oser to the firstf1oor. The gir1 on the bed turned toward Bridge.

"What is it?" she gasped.