All held their breath; but no sound followed the discharge.

They were sure, therefore, that the arrow had not struck the wall, but that it must have passed clear over it.

Half an hour elapsed before they felt that the cord was pulled, and knew that the men upon the other side had succeeded in finding the arrow and string attached.

The stronger cord was now fastened to that which the arrow had carried, and this gradually disappeared in the darkness.

A party now stole up the rock, and posted themselves at the foot of the castle wall.