Their only chance lay now in passing before it might be opened.
They that walk through perils in a brave man's company cannot but gain confidence from the calm of his demeanour.

So was it now with Kenneth.
The steady onward march of that tall, lank figure before him drew him irresistibly after it despite his tremors.

And well it was for him that this was so.

They gained the bottom of the staircase at length; they stood beside the door of the guardroom, they passed it in safety.

Then slowly--painfully slowly--to avoid their steps from ringing upon the stone floor, they crept across towards the door that meant safety to Sir Crispin.