heard a slight
noise outside, beneath the window, and the perspiration began to stand
in a dew upon his face as he realised the fact that some one had just
placed a ladder against the wall and was ascending to look in.

If the stone was seen upraised his chance of escape was at an end, and
there was not a moment to spare, nor the slightest chance of closing it.

He glanced around, and, to his intense delight, noted that it was
getting decidedly dark in the corner where he stood; but still detection
seemed to be certain; and he had only one chance, that was--to throw
himself down and pretend to be asleep.

This he did at once, breathing heavily, and lying perfectly motionless,
but with his eyes wide open, and his ears strained to catch the
slightest sound.

He was quite right; some one was ascending a short ladder placed by his
window; and as he watched attentively he saw the opening suddenly
darkened, and some man's face gazing straight in.

It was too dark now for him to distinguish the features, and he hoped
that the obscurity would favour him by preventing the intruder from
seeing what had been done.

It was a time of terrible suspense, probably only of a minute's
duration, but it seemed to Hilary like an hour; and there he lay, with
half-closed eyes, gazing at the head so dimly-seen, wondering whether it
was Allstone, but unable to make out.

Just then a thought flashed through his brain.

Might it not be a friend?--perhaps a party from the _Kestrel_ arrived in
search of him; and, full of hope, he gazed intently at the head. But
his hopes sank as rapidly as they had risen, for he was compelled to own
that, if it had been a friend, he would have spoken or whistled, or in
some way have endeavoured to catch his attention.

At last, wearied with straining his attention, Hilary felt that he must
speak, when it seemed to him that the window grew a little lighter, and
as he gazed there was a faint scratching noise, telling that the ladder
had been removed.

He could bear it no longer, but, softly rising, he made for the window,
climbed up, and gently raising his head above the sill, peered out, to
be just able to distinguish a dark figure carrying a short ladder, which
brushed against the branches of a tree, and then a low, husky cough,
which he at once recognised, told him who his visitor had been.

"A contemptible spy!" muttered Hilary, as he dropped back into the
chapel. "Now then, has he seen or has he n