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"
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
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