the eldest boy not been awake at the
beginning, he would scarce have heard the sound, so cautious and
soft it was. But this noise was something new. It was like hands
fumbling and groping in search of something. Bertram held his
breath to listen, growing hot and cold by turns. But he drew some
of his clothes cautiously towards him, and silently slipped into
his nether garments. He felt that if there were some unseen enemy
striving in mysterious fashion to penetrate into this room, he
could better meet him if he were clothed, however scantily, than he
could do as he was; and he had ample time to put on even his
doublet and hose, and to cover himself up again in bed, with his
small poniard closely held in his hand, before there was any
further development of that strange night's drama which he was so
breathlessly watching.

That something or somebody was seeking to find entrance into the
room, he could not doubt for a moment; but, on the other hand, it
seemed an incredible surmise, because the wall along which the
unknown visitor had plainly felt his way was an outside wall, and
if there really were any person thus moving, he must be walking
along some secret passage in the thickness of the wall itself.

Such a thing was not impossible. Bertram knew of more than one such
passage contrived in the thickness of the wall in his ancient home,
and all the family were acquainted with a certain secret hiding
place that existed, cleverly contrived in the rambling old
building, which, with its various levels and its wilderness of
chimneys, might well defy detection, even with the most skilled
search. But the boy knew of no such passage or chamber in
connection with their sleeping room, and he was sure his parents
did not know of one either, or any member of the household.
Therefore it was immensely surprising to hear these uncanny sounds,
and it was small wonder if they did give rise to a wave of
supernatural terror, of which the boy was man enough to feel
ashamed the moment reason had time to assert her sway.

"I have done no wrong; I confessed but three days since, and
received blessing and absolution. If any spirit were to come to
visit this room, it could do me no hurt. Besides, methinks a spirit
would pass easily along the straightest place, and would not need
to fumble thus as if in search of hidden bolts.

"Ha! what is that! Methought some spring shot back. Hist! here IT
comes!"

The boy lay back upon his bed, drawin