just try and see what they are
doing. I want to make sure that they all go in and leave the way clear
for us to slide down. Once we can get to the woods we shall be all
right."

"Make sure," whispered Waller, "that they don't leave a sentry by the
porch."

Bunny grunted, and as silently as he could Waller took his coil of rope
from the drawer, fastened it again to the beam, and, as soon as the man
drew in his head, prepared to lower it down.

"It's all right, my lad. Be quick. Some of them has gone round to the
back, and your gal Bella has just let t'others in by the front door.
Here, I'll go down first to see if the rope's safe, and ready to knock
over any of them sojers if he tries to stop us. The young gent had
better come next, and you last. You'll have to leave the rope to get
back after you have seen us a bit on the way. But hold hard a minute.
How long is that rope?"

"About thirty yards," said Waller.

"Here, let me get at it," said Bunny, and, rapidly unfastening it, he
ran it through his hands till he could put the two ends together to get
its measurement, and then, passing an end on either side of the upright
division of the window, he lowered it down till the bight came in
contact with the upright bar. "There you are;" he whispered; "twice as
strong; and when we are all down I can haul on one end and bring it
after us to hide it somewheres in the wood so as it shan't give you
away."

"Capital!" whispered Waller, hurrying to the window, thrusting out his
head, and listening, to find all still. "No one there," he whispered
again, "so down with you."

Bunny gave a grunt, took hold of the rope, and as he was squeezing
himself out to stand with his feet in the gutter. Waller caught hold of
his friend's hand, gave it a grip, and then crept to the door, turned
the key softly, opened it and listened there, to hear the murmur of
voices down in the hall.

He turned the key again and darted back to the window, to feel the rope
quivering for a few moments and then slacken.

Bunny was at the bottom.

"Now can I help you?" whispered Waller.

"No," was the reply. "I can manage." But Waller's heart beat fast and
a strange choking sensation seemed to rise in his breast as the boy,
hampered by his stiff petticoat-trousers, had no little difficulty in
getting clear of the window.

The next minute he was letting himself glide down, rustling loudly
through the ivy.

Waller waited, leaning half out