`` Well , '' he said , `` let 's begin . '' He pulled out of his pocket a rusty key . `` There , '' says he , `` there 's the key of the stair-tower at the far end of the house . Ye can only win into it from the outside , for that part of the house is no finished . Gang ye in there , and up the stairs , and bring me down the chest that 's at the top . There 's papers i n't , '' he added . `` Can I have a light , sir ? '' said I. `` Na , '' said he , very cunningly . `` Nae lights in my house . '' `` Very well , sir , '' said I. `` Are the stairs good ? '' `` They 're grand , '' said he ; and then , as I was going , `` Keep to the wall , '' he added ; `` there 's nae bannisters . But the stairs are grand underfoot . '' Out I went into the night . The wind was still moaning in the distance , though never a breath of it came near the house of Shaws . It had fallen blacker than ever ; and I was glad to feel along the wall , till I came the length of the stairtower door at the far end of the unfinished wing . I had got the key into the keyhole and had just turned it , when all upon a sudden , without sound of wind or thunder , the whole sky lighted up with wild fire and went black again . I had to put my hand over my eyes to get back to the colour of the darkness ; and indeed I was already half blinded when I stepped into the tower . It was so dark inside , it seemed a body could scarce breathe ; but I pushed out with foot and hand , and presently struck the wall with the one , and the lowermost round of the stair with the other . The wall , by the touch , was of fine hewn stone ; the steps too , though somewhat steep and narrow , were of polished masonwork , and regular and solid underfoot . Minding my uncle 's word about the bannisters , I kept close to the tower side , and felt my way in the pitch darkness with a beating heart .
The house of XXXXX stood some five full storeys high , not counting lofts .
Na Shaws bannisters colour fire masonwork nae night stair-tower wall