looked upon the moat, and although it was so high up, it was

heavily barred. The bed was luxurious, with one pillow of down and

one of lavender, and a red coverlet worked in a pattern of roses.

All about the walls were cupboards, locked and padlocked, and

concealed from view by hangings of dark-coloured arras. Dick made

the round, lifting the arras, sounding the panels, seeking vainly

to open the cupboards. He assured himself that the door was strong

and the bolt solid; then he set down his lamp upon a bracket, and

once more looked all around.

For what reason had he been given this chamber? It was larger and

finer than his own. Could it conceal a snare? Was there a secret

entrance? Was it, indeed, haunted? His blood ran a little chilly

in his veins.

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 to

the chapel was the hall. Certainly there was a secret passage in

the hall; the eye that had watched him from the arras gave him

proof of that. Was it not more than probable that the passage

extended to the chapel, and, if so, that it had an opening in his

room?

To sleep in such a place, he felt, would be foolhardy. He made his

weapons ready, and took his position in a corner of the room behind

the door. If ill was intended, he would sell his life dear.

The sound of many feet, the challenge, and the password, sounded

overhead 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:

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