'Will you?' returned Clemency. 'Well! that's somewhat good of you.'

'Yes, yes,' exclaimed Mr. Britain, giving her his pipe to knock the ashes out of it; 'I'll stand by you. Hark! That's a curious noise!'

'Noise!' repeated Clemency.

'A footstep outside. Somebody dropping from the wall, it sounded like,' exclaimed Britain. 'Are they all abed up-stairs?'