Count Hannibal

They found themselves in a long narrow cockloft, not more than six feet

high at the highest, and insufferably hot. Between the tiles, which

sloped steeply on either hand, a faint light filtered in, disclosing the

giant rooftree running the length of the house, and at the farther end of

the loft the main tie-beam, from which a network of knees and struts rose

to the rooftree.

Tignonville, who seemed possessed by unnatural energy, stayed only to put

off his boots. Then "Courage!" he panted, "all goes well!" and, carrying

his boots in his hands, he led the way, stepping gingerly from joist to

joist until he reached the tie-beam. He climbed on it, and, squeezing

himself between the struts, entered a second loft, similar to the first.

At the farther end of this a rough wall of bricks in a timber-frame

lowered his hopes; but as he approached it, joy! Low down in the corner

where the roof descended, a small door, square, and not more than two

feet high, disclosed itself.

The two crept to it on hands and knees and listened. "It will lead to

the leads, I doubt?" La Tribe whispered. They dared not raise their

voices.

"As well that way as another!" Tignonville answered recklessly. He was

the more eager, for there is a fear which transcends the fear of death.

His eyes shone through the mask of dust, the sweat ran down to his chin,

his breath came and went noisily. "Naught matters if we can escape him!"

he panted. And he pushed the door recklessly. It flew open; the two

drew back their faces with a cry of alarm.

They were looking, not into the sunlight, but into a grey dingy garret

open to the roof, and occupying the upper part of a gable-end somewhat

higher than the wing in which they had been confined. Filthy truckle-

beds and ragged pallets covered the floor, and, eked out by old saddles

and threadbare horserugs, marked the sleeping quarters either of the

servants or of travellers of the meaner sort. But the dinginess was

naught to the two who knelt looking into it, afraid to move. Was the

place empty? That was the point; the question which had first stayed,

and then set their pulses at the gallop.

Painfully their eyes searched each huddle of clothing, scanned each

dubious shape. And slowly, as the silence persisted, their heads came

forward until the whole floor lay within the field of sight. And still

no sound! At last Tignonville stirred, crept through the doorway, and

rose up, peering round him. He nodded, and, satisfied that all was safe,

the minister followed him.

They found themselves a pace or so from the head of a narrow staircase,

leading downwards. Without moving, they could see the door which closed

it below. Tignonville signed to La Tribe to wait, and himself crept down

the stairs. He reached the door, and, stooping, set his eye to the hole

through which the string of the latch passed. A moment he looked, and

then, turning on tiptoe, he stole up again, his face fallen.