wind.
Nigel pressed the point of his dagger against his face and dared him to
open his lips. Then he slipped the rope beneath his arms and tied it.

"Pull him up!" he whispered, and for an instant the gray glimmer above
him was obscured.

"We have him, fair sir," said Simon.

"Then drop me the rope and hold it fast."

A moment later Nigel stood among the group of men who had gathered round
their captive. It was too dark to see him, and they dare not strike
flint and steel.

Simon passed his hand roughly over him and felt a fat clean-shaven
face, and a cloth gabardine which hung to the ankles. "Who are you?" he
whispered. "Speak the truth and speak it low, if you would ever speak
again."

The man's teeth chattered in his head with cold and fright. "I speak no
English," he murmured.

"French, then," said Nigel.

"I am a holy priest of God. You court the ban of holy Church when you
lay hands upon me. I pray you let me go upon my way, for there are
those whom I would shrive and housel. If they should die in sin, their
damnation is upon you."

"How are you called then?"

"I am Dom Peter de Cervolles."

"De Cervolles, the arch-priest, he who heated the brazier when they
burned out my eyes," cried old Andreas. "Of all the devils in hell there
is none fouler than this one. Friends, friends, if I have done aught
for you this night, I ask but one reward, that ye let me have my will of
this man."

But Nigel pushed the old man back. "There is no time for this," he said.
"Now hark you, priest--if priest indeed you be--your gown and tonsure
will not save you if you play us false, for we are here of a set purpose
and we will go forward with it, come what may. Answer me and answer me
truly or it will be an ill night for you. In what part of the Castle
does this tunnel enter?"

"In the lower cellar."

"What is at the end?"

"An oaken door."

"Is it barred?"

"Yes, it is barred."

"How would you have entered?"

"I would have given the password."

"Who then would have opened?"

"There is a guard within."

"And beyond him?"

"Beyond him are the prison cells and the jailers."

"Who else would be afoot?"

"No one save a guard at the gate and another on the battlement."

"What then is the password?"

The man was silent.

"The password, fellow!"

The cold points of two daggers pricked his throat; but still he would
not speak.

"Where is the blind man?" asked Nigel. "Here, Andreas, you can have him