t had been hastily made, whether
foolish or no, and if peradventure it brought us all to grief then I
ought not be so severely censured, because there was naught else to be
done, as it then appeared to me.

When having, as I have said, come to the rear of Master Lord's house and
I had knelt down to raise the turf, which was much like unto a lid, Seth
Jepson's small remnant of courage fled, and I could feel the scoundrel
sink beneath my hand as if his life had suddenly taken flight.

Now I dared not even whisper; but, holding the knife in my teeth, and
with a strength which was born of desperation, I thrust the Tory villain
in head foremost as if he was no more than a log of wood, pushing on his
legs until he was entirely within the tunnel and I despairing of being
able to force him further because he was as limp as any rag, when
suddenly it was as if the scoundrel shot forward. You may be certain I
followed as quickly as possible, fearing lest he, on gaining the floor
of the cellar, should set up an outcry which would alarm our
double-faced host.

When I had succeeded in making my way through the tunnel an odd picture
presented itself, and one which will ever remain vivid in my memory.

The lantern was burning sufficiently bright to illumine the room. I saw
Hiram holding Seth Jepson by both shoulders as he stared into his face
in wonder and perplexity, while Archie and Harvey, each with their hands
on their knees, stooped that they might look up at what must have seemed
a ghastly visitor, for probably the idea of that Tory cur coming into
their hiding-place was the last thought that would have entered their
minds.

At the same instant I realized how it was that Seth had so suddenly shot
forward when I was striving to push him through the tunnel. Hiram,
hearing the slight noise, and thinking I was stuck fast in the narrow
passage, seized him by the shoulders, dragging him through and out past
the screen of casks until smitten with fear and amazement.

It may well be fancied that I did not stand still many seconds to take
in the scene. It was pictured upon my mind like a flash of light, and
then I pressed my knife against Seth's breast, whispering in his ear:

"Remember, we will kill you like the cur you are, if you so much as
whisper!"

"Are you so tired of life that for the sake of revenge you bring this
fellow here?" Hiram asked softly; but with a world of anger in his tone,
and I, realizing that there must be