Still Iona and Cathy waited until after about five minutes, reassured by the round of Eachann’s rhythmic snores they crept forward into the light. All the way to the door of the Keep they watched Eachann, but it was obvious that the laudanum had done its work effectively. It would be many hours before he would be troubled by anything.
Iona ran up the steps and fitted the key into the lock. Her hand was shaking and for one awful moment she thought that she had been tricked and that it would not fit. But it was only stiff and with an effort she managed to turn it. Hardly daring to breathe she pushed the heavy door with both hands.
There was a lantern hanging from the roof of a high circular room. The only furniture was a rough wooden couch covered with a blanket. Lying on it apparently asl
