Read "The Man-Wolf" by Émile Erckmann online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Following Sperver, who ascended the staircase with rapid steps, I was still able to convince myself that the Castle of Nideck had not an undeserved reputation.
It was a true stronghold, partly cut out of the rock, such as used formerly to be called a _chateau d'ambuscade_. Its lofty vaulted arches re-echoed afar with our steps, and the outside air blowing with sharp gusts through the loopholes -- narrow slits made for the archers of former days -- caused our torches to flare and flicker from space to space over the faintly-illuminated protruding lines of the arches as they caught the uncertain light.