ge in the hall; the eye
that had watched him from the arras gave him proof of that. Was it not
more than probable that the passage extended to the chapel, and, if so,
that it had an opening in his room?

To sleep in such a place, he felt, would be foolhardy. He made his
weapons ready, and took his position in a corner of the room behind the
door. If ill was intended, he would sell his life dear.

The sound of many feet, the challenge, and the password sounded overhead
along the battlements; the watch was being changed.

And just then there came a scratching at the door of the chamber; it
grew a little louder; then a whisper:

"Dick, Dick, it is I!"

Dick ran to the door, drew the bolt, and admitted Matcham. He was very
pale, and carried a lamp in one hand and a drawn dagger in the other.

"Shut me the door," he whispered. "Swift, Dick! This house is full of
spies; I hear their feet follow me in the corridors; I hear them breathe
behind the arras."

"Well, content you," returned Dick, "it is closed. We are safe for this
while, if there be safety anywhere within these walls. But my heart is
glad to see you. By the mass, lad, I thought ye were sped! Where hid
ye?"

"It matters not," returned Matcham. "Since we be met, it matters not.
But, Dick, are your eyes open? Have they told you of to-morrow's
doings?"

"Not they," replied Dick. "What make they to-morrow?"

"To-morrow, or to-night, I know not," said the other, "but one time or
other, Dick, they do intend upon your life. I had the proof of it; I
have heard them whisper; nay, they as good as told me."

"Ay," returned Dick, "is it so? I had thought as much."

And he told him the day's occurrences at length.

When it was done, Matcham arose and began, in turn, to examine the
apartment.

"No," he said, "there is no entrance visible. Yet 'tis a pure certainty
there is one. Dick, I will stay by you. An y'are to die, I will die with
you. And I can help--look! I have stolen a dagger--I will do my best!
And meanwhile, an ye know of any issue, any sally-port we could get
opened, or any window that we might descend by, I will most joyfully
face any jeopardy to flee with you."

"Jack," said Dick, "by the mass, Jack, y'are the best soul, and the
truest, and the bravest in all England! Give me your hand, Jack."

And he grasped the other's hand in silence.

"I will tell you," he resumed. "There is a window, out of which the
messenger descended; the rope should st