Dame Simonetta doesn't like the feeling of those cracks being behind her back. She moves to the nearest one and shines her lantern inside, looking for the flashing glow of rat-eyes.
"Rats!"Dame Simonetta whispers harshly."I'm not sure which direction they are, maybe the have a nest behind those narrow cracks. Have any of you been here before?"
Maloof will also move south, he will hide behind the column in the south-east corner (he will be on the south side of the column). He is expecting a secret door to open momentarily in the north-east corner of the room.
There is some debate whether to cut the rope into sections, allowing the secret door to shut tight, or keep the rope continuous, propping the door open a crack. What's the decision? If there are available tie-off points, I think it's best to cut the rope. Otherwise we'd be in violation of the "...
If Maloof is done his inspection behind the tapestry by this time, he will join Wiglaff's investigation of the northern pillar. Maloof will focus most of his attention on the wall behind the pillar.
Dame Simonetta makes sure the rope is secure, and then with the other end in hand she leads the way (as best as she is able) westwards towards the secret door.