ohn.

CHAPTER XVIII. THE TRIAL

The next day Roland, who had been unable to sleep till about two in the
morning, woke about seven. Collecting his scattered wits, he recalled
what had passed between Sir John and himself the night before, and was
astonished that the Englishman had not wakened him. He dressed hastily
and went to Sir John's room at the risk of rousing him from his first
sleep.

He knocked at the door. Sir John made no answer. Roland knocked again,
louder this time. The same silence. This time some uneasiness mingled
with Roland's curiosity. The key was on the outside; the young officer
opened the door, and cast a rapid glance around the room. Sir John
was not there; he had not returned. The bed was undisturbed. What had
happened?

There was not an instant to lose, and we may be sure that, with that
rapidity of decision we know in Roland, he lost not an instant. He
rushed to his room, finished dressing, put his hunting knife into his
belt, slung his rifle over his shoulder and went out. No one was yet
awake except the chambermaid. Roland met her on the stairs.

"Tell Madame de Montrevel," said he, "that I have gone into the forest
of Seillon with my gun. She must not worry if Sir John and I are not on
time for breakfast."

Then he darted rapidly away. Ten minutes later he reached the window
where he had left Sir John the night before. He listened, not a sound
came from within; the huntsman's ear could detect the morning woodland
sounds, but no others. Roland climbed through the window with his
customary agility, and rushed through the choir into the sacristy.

One look sufficed to show him that not only the choir but the entire
chapel was empty. Had the spectres led the Englishman along the reverse
of the way he had come himself? Possibly. Roland passed rapidly behind
the altar, into the vaults, where he found the gate open. He entered the
subterranean cemetery. Darkness hid its depths. He called Sir John three
times. No one answered.

He reached the second gate; it was open like the first. He entered the
vaulted passage; only, as it would be impossible to use his gun in such
darkness, he slung it over his shoulder and drew out his hunting-knife.
Feeling his way, he continued to advance without meeting anybody, but
the further he went the deeper became the darkness, which indicated that
the stone in the cistern was closed. He reached the steps, and mounted
them until his head touched the revo