*
Inside the house, watching from an upstairs window, Franco had spotted Tsuba and prepared to meet him. The twins, investigating all the commotion, went downstairs to the large hallway; they passed Eve, dashing up the stairs looking for Cairo.
Richard approached the double-front doors at a run, he was surprised when they flew open in front of him, revealing the twins eagerly beckoning him in. He moved forward more warily, meeting them at the steps.
“Richard!” They chorused, smiling. They both took one of his arms and led him into the hallway, Richard eyes checked every corner for danger, he was afraid of a trap. Still holding his arms the twins spoke in fast cautious whispers,
“Have you come back-”
“To save us-”
“From the evil-”
“That lurks in this house?” They stared at him, waiting for an answer.
“Yes.” Was all he could say, he was going to ask where is she? But they spoke first.
“It's down there!” The girls pointed solemnly to the floor,
“In that hateful-”
“Laboratory.”
Richard automatically assumed that they meant Eve was down in the cellar,
“Show me the way!” He commanded them. Side by side they proudly led him through the kitchen and down a corridor to the top of a dim staircase.
“It's down there!” They shuddered, clung to each other and pointed down the stairs,
“We can't go down there!” He watched them tremble at the thought of it. Still wary of a trap but not knowing what else to do Richard checked his little gun and plunged down into the gloom.