I knew that the country round would be hunted for days, and that I could never escape the malice of the Lord of Mortimer if I pursued my way to the sea.

He would overtake and kill me before I could make shift to gain that place of refuge.

But I bethought me of the secret chamber and its story, and methought I might slip in unseen did I but watch my opportunity, find my way up the winding stair to this room, and so to the secret chamber beyond." "And thou didst ?" "Ay, I did, the very next morning.

I saw thee and thy brothers sally forth a-hunting.

I saw the men follow in thy train.