from its merry smile to a startled look of fear.

"Didst thou not hear that whistle, Walter dear?" she asked in alarm.

"What whistle, dearest?" I asked, that I might allay her fears. "'Twas
but thine imagination playing upon thine ears; 'twas nothing."

"Nay, 'twas no imagination; 'twas real,--and hark!--there again it is."

This time there could be no mistaking the sound. Methought it came
from one of the three rooms that did adjoin the large one in which we
were.

"Do thou go, Michael, and with great care open yon door and see if that
room be occupied," I said in a whisper to my squire.

Drawing his heavy sword he advanced cautiously, and, turning the knob,
he thrust the door wide open, whilst he remained at the threshold.

This room was empty; but on the opposite side from where stood Michael
was another door, and to the right of this, in the other wall, was yet
another.

Then I heard a slight click at the lock of the door by which we had
entered the house. I drew my sword and walked to this door and tried
to open it. It was locked.

Then the whole plot flashed upon my mind. This then was Catesby's plan
for getting both Hazel and me within his power. No wonder that he did
laugh as Harleston left the courtyard. Well might he laugh; for never
did a trap work with more success than did this clever one, laid by
this most ingenious scoundrel.

I went to the window and tried to loosen some of the bars that ran
across the square. Even the great Michael's strength should here be of
no avail. The bars were very heavy, and firmly imbedded in the
masonry, of which the lower part of the house was made.

I watched the doors leading from the room in the expectancy that they
were about to fly open and a band of men rush in to do their work.
Still they did remain closed. Michael still stood before the open
door, awaiting mine instructions.

After waiting for a few moments with the painful feeling that one has
when convinced that the eyes of a concealed foe are on him, watching
his every move, I walked to the great table and, placing my sword upon
it, I moved it back across one of the corners of the room; thus forming
a frail barricade to protect my dear Hazel.

I then placed my dagger in her hand and said:--"Be brave my dearest,
and if thou seest that thou canst not escape with honour, thou knowest
the use of this little weapon. However, so long as thou seest hope,
refrain from its use; for even in our pos