It was twice repeated ere they recognised its nature.

It was the sound of a big man clearing his throat; and just then a hoarse, untuneful voice broke into singing.
"Then up and spake the master, the king of the outlaws: 'What make ye here, my merry men, among the greenwood shaws ?' And Gamelyn made answer--he looked never adown: 'O, they must need to walk in wood that may not walk in town!'" The singer paused, a faint clink of iron followed, and then silence.
The two lads stood looking at each other.

Whoever he might be, their invisible neighbour was just beyond the ruin.

And suddenly the colour came into Matcham's face, and next moment he had crossed the fallen rafter, and was climbing cautiously on the huge pile of lumber that filled the interior of the roofless house.

Dick would have withheld him, had he been in time; as it was, he was fain to follow.
Right in the corner of the ruin, two rafters had fallen crosswise, and protected a clear space no larger than a pew in church.