CHAPTER XVII: THE CAPTURE OF CALAIS.
When the bar was once ready for removal the captives delayed not a minute, for although it was now so late that there was little chance of a visit being paid them, it was just possible that such might be the case, and that it might occur to the knight that it would be safer to separate them.
"Now, Ralph, do you go first, since I am lighter and can climb up by means of the strap, which you can hold from above; push the bar out and lay it down quietly on the thickness of the wall.

A splash might attract the attention of the sentries, though I doubt whether it would, for the wind is high and the rain falling fast.

Unbuckle the strap before you move the bar, as otherwise it might fall and I should have difficulty in handing it to you again.

Now, I am steady against the wall." Ralph seized the bar and with a great effort pushed the bottom from him.
It moved through the groove without much difficulty, but it needed a great wrench to free the upper end.

However, it was done, and laying it quietly down he pulled himself up and thrust himself through the loophole.