ght. 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 twitters! What aileth you?" said Dick. "'Tis a most
excellent good fortune, this Joanna; it will take their minds from us."

"Dick," cried Matcham, "I am lost; we are both lost. Let us flee if
there be yet time. They will not rest till they have found me. Or, see!
let me go forth; when they have found me, ye may flee. Let me forth,
Dick--good Dick, let me away!"

She was groping for the bolt, when Dick at last comprehended.

"By the mass!" he cried, "y' are no Jack; y' are Joanna Sedley; y' are
the maid that would not marry me!"

The girl paused, and stood silent and motionless. Dick, too, was silent
for a little; then he spoke again.

"Joanna," he said, "y' 'ave saved my life, and I have saved yours; and we
have seen blood flow, and been friends and enemies--ay, and I took my
belt to thrash you; and all that time I thought ye were a boy. But now
death has me, and my time's out, and before I die I mu