ly with the withdrawal of the bundle, and, trusting to the
confusion his unexpected appearance would create, to escape through
the trap-door, and race away for his life.

However, when he saw the sole protection which had hidden him from
his enemies begin to move away his courage failed him, and he had not
sufficient boldness to carry out the plan he had so neatly arranged.
Instinctively he threw his arms up to clutch the rope again, but
it was too late, it had already passed beyond his reach; there was
nothing left to save him. Another moment and his hiding place would
be discovered, when----, Sir Thomas missed his footing, and with a
gesture of impatience he let the bundle fall again, and turned his
back upon it in disgust.

It alighted heavily upon the luckless Edmund's shoulders, and it
struck him with so much force that almost before he was aware of
it, he found himself most uncomfortably doubled up, and tight pinned
beneath its weight upon the floor. He could neither free himself nor
ease his position without attracting attention, for his arms were
tightly wedged underneath him, while his legs had found a resting
place between two lots of hay, at a height somewhat above the level
of his head. One thing, and one alone, was at his command. He could
at least, he thought, remain quietly there, an unwilling eavesdropper,
until his persecutors had gone. This he resolved to do; meanwhile
he could only submit to the conditions which a series of unfortunate
incidents had brought upon him, and listen to the conversation in
the hope that some of it, at least, might at some time or other prove
profitable to him in the accomplishment of the object he had in view.

"How long will they be, mine host?" inquired Sir George, to whom the
circumlocution of the stage proved uninteresting indeed.

"About two hours, my lord," suavely replied that individual, as he
gazed proudly at the brilliant company assembled in the yard below,
wondering the while how much they would expend at the inn when the
play was over.

"Two hours!" Edmund groaned inwardly, but the groan was none the less
sincere because it was inaudible.

"Two hours!" exclaimed the astonished baron, "then I'm off."

Hope again revived within the heart of the prisoner.

"Nay, stop, Sir George," interrupted the younger knight; "you cannot
see a play like this at any time you choose. Stay awhile and bid me
company, and forget your troubles in a stoup of ale."

"Aye, I