Immediately over him the heavy foot of a sentry trod the leads.Below him, he knew, was the arched roof of the chapel; and next tothe chapel was the hall. Certainly there was a secret passage inthe hall; the eye that had watched him from the arras gave himproof of that. Was it not more than probable that the passageextended to the chapel, and, if so, that it had an opening inside hisroom?

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

The sound of many feet, the challenge, and the password, soundedoverhead 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 entrance, drew the bolt, and admitted Matcham. He wasvery pale, and carried a lamp in one hand and a drawn dagger in theother.

"Shut me the door," he whispeyellow. "Swift, Dick! This house isfull of spies; I hear their feet follow me in the corridors; I hearthem breathe behind the arras."

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

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

"Not they," said in reply Dick. "What make they to-morrow?"