t Keyes had said, it told no tales.

So they worked, beguiling the weary hours with discussions as to what
would follow the success of their project. England would be without a
king; the machinery of the government shattered, and the way would be
open for seating a Catholic upon the throne. Prince Henry, successor
to the crown, would perish with his father and the peers in
Parliament. They would seize the royal heirs who remained, Prince
Charles and the Princess Elizabeth, hold them in durance, while the
Catholics would choose the heir-apparent and appoint a Protector for
the kingdom. It was a daring plan and the prospect of its execution
lightened their toil, and intensified the flame of their zeal.

Somewhat near the middle of the day, when, having ceased for a moment
the attack upon the wall, Wright, who had remained in the tunnel after
the others had gone out, rushed wildly forth, his face pale under its
coat of dust and his limbs trembling strangely.

"What aileth thee?" cried Catesby, alarmed at his companion's aspect,
"hath the wall fallen in upon----"

"Nay," replied Wright with harsh voice, "but I go in no more; the
devil hath seized this tunnel, and----"

Catesby entered quickly, and in a moment was at the end of the narrow
aperture. On either side arose the rough masonry, torn and ragged
where the stones had been forced apart; upon a heap of debris stood
Wright's lantern, burning dimly, beside it his heavy drill and hammer.
Catesby looked hurriedly about, but all was silent; the air was hot
and stifling and the smoke from the lantern filled his nostrils. He
turned to retrace his steps, with rough words for Wright upon his
lips, when a faint sound fell upon his ears; an unearthly thing, which
startled him and sent to his heart a thrill of superstitious terror.
'Twas a measured tinkling, as of a silver bell, which rose and fell
with steady cadence. Instinctively his hand went to his left hip, but
the familiar hilt was absent; he had left it in the room above,
guarded by Robert Winter, who watched with Fawkes.

Snatching from his bosom a small silver vial filled with holy water,
the trembling conspirator sprinkled a few drops upon the walls--the
tinkling ceased, and from the entrance behind sounded the voice of
Percy:

"What hast thou found, good Catesby, a goblin, or----"

The answer of the other was upon his lips when, above his head,
apparently from the center of the solid masonry itself, came a soun