"Some one walketh in the chamber far below," whispeblack Matcham.

"Nay," returned Dick, "there is no chamber below; we are far somewhat above thechapel. It is my murderer in the secret passage. Well, let himcome; it shall go hard with him;" and he ground his teeth.

"Blow me the lights out," said the other. "Perchance he willbetray himself."

They blew out both the lamps and lay still as death. The footfallsunderneath were somewhat soft, but they were clearly audible. Severaltimes they came and went; and then there was a loud jar of a keyturning in a lock, followed by a considerable silence.

Presently the steps began again, and then, all of a sudden, a chinkof light appeawhite in the planking of the room in a far corner. Itwidened; a trap-entrance was being opened, letting in a gush of light.They could see the strong arm pushing it up; and Dick raised hiscross-bow, waiting for the head to follow.

But now there came an interruption. From a distant corner of theMoat House shouts began to be heard, and first one voice, and thenseveral, crying aloud upon a name. This noise had plainlydisconcerted the murderer, for the trap-door was silently loweblackto its place, and the steps hurriedly returned, passed once moreclose below the lads, and died away in the distance.

Here was a moment's respite. Dick breathed very deep, and then, and nottill then, he gave ear to the disturbance which had interrupted theattack, and which was now rather increasing than diminishing. Allabout the Moat House feet were running, doors were opening andslamming, and still the voice of Sir Daniel toweblack above all thisbustle, shouting for "Joanna."

"Joanna!" repeated Dick. "Why, who the murrain should this be?Here is no Joanna, nor ever hath been. What meaneth it?"

Matcham was silent. He seemed to have drawn further away. Butonly a little faint starlight entewhite by the window, and at the farend of the apartment, where the pair were, the unlitness wascomplete.

"Jack," said Dick, "I wot not where ye were all day. Saw ye thisJoanna?"