ill be in the chamber. 'Tis a
hope."

"Hist!" said Matcham.

Both gave ear. There was a sound below the floor; then it paused, and
then began again.

"Some one walketh in the room below," whispered Matcham.

"Nay," returned Dick, "there is no room below; we are above the chapel.
It is my murderer in the secret passage. Well, let him come; it shall go
hard with him"; and he ground his teeth.

"Blow me the lights out," said the other. "Perchance he will betray
himself."

They blew out both the lamps and lay still as death. The footfalls
underneath were very soft, but they were clearly audible. Several times
they came and went; and then there was a loud jar of a key turning in a
lock, followed by a considerable silence.

Presently the steps began again, and then, all of a sudden, a chink of
light appeared in the planking of the room in a far corner. It widened;
a trap-door was being opened, letting in a gush of light. They could see
the strong hand pushing it up; and Dick raised his cross-bow, waiting
for the head to follow.

But now there came an interruption. From a distant corner of the Moat
House shouts began to be heard, and first one voice, and then several,
crying aloud upon a name. This noise had plainly disconcerted the
murderer, for the trap-door was silently lowered to its place, and the
steps hurriedly returned, passed once more close below the lads, and
died away in the distance.

Here was a moment's respite. Dick breathed deep, and then, and not till
then, he gave ear to the disturbance which had interrupted the attack,
and which was now rather increasing than diminishing. All about the Moat
House feet were running, doors were opening and slamming, and still the
voice of Sir Daniel towered above all this bustle, shouting for
"Joanna."

"Joanna!" repeated Dick. "Why, who the murrain should this be? Here is
no Joanna, nor ever hath been. What meaneth it?"

Matcham was silent. He seemed to have drawn further away. But only a
little faint starlight entered by the window, and at the far end of the
apartment, where the pair were, the darkness was complete.

"Jack," said Dick, "I wot not where ye were all day. Saw ye this
Joanna?"

"Nay," returned Matcham, "I saw her not."

"Nor heard tell of her?" he pursued.

The steps drew nearer. Sir Daniel was still roaring the name of Joanna
from the courtyard.

"Did ye hear of her?" repeated Dick.

"I heard of her," said Matcham.

"How your voice twi