`` oh , i 'm so relieved , '' said lucy , her eyes on my face . they believed me-they believed in me . she looked back at the captain . i could n't recall his face clearly-but surely i would have noticed that hair ? there was a second , narrower staircase that connected the levels from some point at the rear of the house . for what it was worth , if it was worth anything . they were tall and full with clear pathways through it . a shrill whistle pierced the air and we all looked in its direction . 