st some one passed beneath. In
an hour they had dug down to a stone arch which was clearly the outer
side of the tunnel roof. Here was a sad obstacle, for it might take long
to loosen a stone, and if their work was not done by the break of day
then their enterprise was indeed hopeless. They loosened the mortar with
a dagger, and at last dislodged one small stone which enabled them to
get at the others. Presently a dark hole blacker than the night around
them yawned at their feet, and their swords could touch no bottom to it.
They had opened the tunnel.

"I would fain enter it first," said Nigel. "I pray you to lower me
down." They held him to the full length of their arms and then letting
him drop they heard him land safely beneath them. An instant later the
blind man started up with a low cry of alarm.

"I hear steps coming," said he. "They are far off, but they draw
nearer."

Simon thrust his head and neck down the hole. "Squire Nigel," he
whispered, "can you hear me?"

"I can hear you, Simon."

"Andreas says that some one comes."

"Then cover over the hole," came the answer. "Quick, I pray you, cover
it over!"

A mantle was stretched across it, so that no glimmer of light should
warn the new-comer. The fear was that he might have heard, the sound
of Nigel's descent. But soon it was clear that he had not done so, for
Andreas announced that he was still advancing. Presently Nigel could
hear the distant thud of his feet. If he bore a lantern all was lost.
But no gleam of light appeared in the black tunnel, and still the
footsteps drew nearer.

Nigel breathed a prayer of thanks to all his guardian saints as he
crouched close to the slimy wall and waited breathless, his dagger
in his hand. Nearer yet and nearer came the steps. He could hear the
stranger's coarse breathing in the darkness. Then as he brushed past
Nigel bounded upon him with a tiger spring. There was one gasp of
astonishment, and not a sound more, for the Squire's grip was on the
man's throat and his body was pinned motionless against the wall.

"Simon! Simon!" cried Nigel loudly.

The mantle was moved from the hole.

"Have you a cord? Or your belts linked together may serve."

One of the peasants had a rope, and Nigel soon felt it dangling against
his hand. He listened and there was no sound in the passage. For an
instant he released his captive's throat. A torrent of prayers and
entreaties came forth. The man was shaking like a leaf in the