diers who patrolled the town, and from far off their
challenges to the sentries on watch at the ends of the streets.

The girl came back to Maurice with the key in her hand.

"I got it," she said. "The master's cocked up sleepin' by the kitchen
fire. There was a man in his bed, or maybe twa, but I didna wake them."

"Come back to me in half an hour," said Maurice, "I may want your help.
And listen, my lass, if you stand by me to-night I'll see you safe
afterwards. You shan't want for a handful of silver or a bran new gown."

"I want none of your siller nor your gowns," said the girl. "I'll lend
ye a han' because you're a friend of the lad that's the friend of Jemmy
Hope."

At about half-past twelve the sentry who stood in front of Neal's cellar
heard some one descend the stairs into the passage with shuffling steps.
A slatternly girl with shoes so down at the heel that they clattered
on the stone flags every time she lifted her feet, approached him. She
rubbed her eyes and yawned like one lately wakened out of sleep. She
carried a lantern in her hand.

"What do you want here?" said the man.

"The master sent me, sir, with another lamp. He was afeard the yin ye
had would be out again the morn. There isna that much oil in it."

"Your master's civil," said the man. "I've no fancy for standing sentry
here in the dark. He's a civil man, and I'll speak a good word for him
to-morrow to the captain. I hope you're a civil wench like the man you
serve."

"Ay, amn't I after fetchin' the lamp till ye?"

"And a kiss along with it," said the soldier. "Come now, you needn't be
coy, there's none to see you."

He put his arms round her waist and pulled her towards him.

"Mind now, mind, will ye, have you neither sense nor shame? Ye'll have
the lamp spilt and the house in a blaze this minute."

She escaped from him, and, standing on tip-toe, reached the lamp which
hung from the roof and put it on the ground. The soldier caught her
again, and this time succeeded in kissing her.

"Ye may hang the fresh lamp up yourself," said the girl. "I willna lay a
finger on it for ye now."

Rubbing her mouth with her hand, as if to wipe away the kiss forced on
her, she shambled down the passage, taking the first lamp with her. The
sentry heard her shuffle up the stairs again, making a great deal of
noise with her clattering shoes. Then he hung the fresh lamp on his hook
and stood back again against the door of the cellar.

It was ver