"Come, gentlemen," said a sharp voice at the door, "there is no time to
lose."

He went out with the two others behind, and followed Mr. John
downstairs. Already the party of servants was dispersed to their
stations; two or three to keep the doors, no doubt, and the rest back to
kitchen work and the like, to give the impression that all was as usual.

The four went straight down into the hall, to find it empty, except for
one man who stood by the fire-place. But a surprising change had taken
place here. Instead of the solemn panelling, with the carved shield that
covered the wall over the hearth, there was a great doorway opened,
through which showed, not the bricks of the chimney-breast, but a black
space large enough to admit a man.

"See here," said Mr. John, "there is room for two here, but no more.
There is room for a third in another little chamber upstairs that is
nearly joined on to this: but it is not so good. Now, gentlemen--"

"This is the safer of the two?" asked Robin abruptly.

"I think it to be so. Make haste, gentlemen."

Robin wheeled on the others. He said that there was no time to argue in.

"See!" he said. "I have not yet been taken at all. Mr. Garlick hath
been taken; and Mr. Ludlam hath had a warning. There is no question that
you must be here."

"I utterly refuse--" began Garlick.

Robin went to the door in three strides; and was out of it. He closed
the door behind him and ran upstairs. As he reached the head his eye
caught a glint of sunlight on some metal far up on the moor beyond the
belt of trees. He did not turn his head again; he went straight in and
waited.

Presently he heard steps coming up, and Mr. John appeared smiling and
out of breath.

"I have them in," he said, "by promising that there was no great
difference after all; and that there was no time. Now, sir--" And he
went towards the wall at which, long ago, Mr. Owen had worked so hard.

"And yourself, sir?" asked Robin, as once more an innocent piece of
panelling moved outwards under Mr. John's hand.

"I'll see to that; but not until you are in--"

"But--"

The old man's face blazed suddenly up.

"Obey me, if you please. I am the master here. I tell you I have a very
good place."

There was no more to be said. Robin advanced to the opening, and sat
down to slide himself in. It was a little door about two feet square,
with a hole beneath it.

"Drop gently, Mr. Alban," whispered the voice in his ear. "The alta