The minister said he would return at daybreak." "Let him come," answered Galliard grimly, as he moved towards the casement.
He gripped the lower bar with his lean, sinewy hands, and setting his knee against the masonry beneath it, he exerted the whole of his huge strength--that awful strength acquired during those years of toil as a galley-slave, which even his debaucheries had not undermined.

He felt his sinews straining until it seemed that they must crack; the sweat stood out upon his brow; his breathing grew stertorous.
"It gives," he panted at last.

"It gives." He paused in his efforts, and withdrew his hands.
"I must breathe a while.

One other effort such as that, and it is done.
'Fore George," he laughed, "it is the first time water has stood my friend, for the rains have sadly rusted that iron." Without, their sentry was pacing before the door; his steps came nearer, passed, and receded; turned, came nigh again, and again passed on.
As once more they grew faint, Crispin seized the bar and renewed his attempt.

This time it was easier.