ne be the wiser."

There could be no study for the boys that day; they were too deeply
moved and excited. Moreover, Edred had his father's charge to keep,
and as sundown was nigh at hand, the two brothers visited every
gate and portal and saw the house made fast within and without.

An air of excitement and mystery seemed to permeate the place. The
servants had caught some of the infection, and whispers of loyalty
and affection were murmured many times in the boys' ears as they
pursued their round. At last, all being safely ordered, they went
by common consent to their own room, and stood looking at the
secret door which led to the hiding place none knew of but
themselves and Warbel.

"I trow we shall need it now," said Edred. "But all is in readiness
for the fugitive; all has been done save to bring in the victuals.
Brother, shall we do that this very night? I would there were a
supply there for a month, and a couple of gallon jars of good mead
and some bottles of wine. We must put water there, too, but not
till the last minute. They say men must have water, else they die;
but sure they could live for long on good mead and ale. Hath
Bertram any plan for getting water to the chamber save what we can
carry ourselves? He said he would not rest till we had done
somewhat; but--"

A light sparkled in Julian's eyes.

"Come, and thou shalt see, thou brother of books," he said. "Whilst
thou hast been doing thy penance for what sin we know not, and been
reading amain with Brother Emmanuel, we have not been idle. Come,
and I will show thee what we have contrived. I trow none need
perish of thirst in the secret chamber now who knows aught of our
contrivance."

With eager steps Julian led the way, and Edred no less eagerly
followed. It was very dark in the secret chamber; but the means of
kindling a light were now there, and soon a small dim lantern was
lighted.

"Come hither," said Julian, taking the light and leading the way
into a corner that lay beneath the leads of the house; and when
there Edred saw a metal trough or receiver, rudely made but
effectual for the purpose of holding any liquid, something similar
to what the animals in the yard were fed and watered from. Above
this trough was a piece of iron pipe with a bung at the end.

"That trough and pipe Bertram and I fashioned in the blacksmith's
forge with our own hands," said the boy proudly, "and I trow both
are good enow and strong. Dost know what does the ot