Between the tiles, which sloped steeply on either hand, a faint light filtered in, disclosing the giant rooftree running the length of the house, and at the farther end of the loft the main tie-beam, from which a network of knees and struts rose to the rooftree.
Tignonville, who seemed possessed by unnatural energy, stayed only to put off his boots.

Then "Courage!" he panted, "all goes well!" and, carrying his boots in his hands, he led the way, stepping gingerly from joist to joist until he reached the tie-beam.

He climbed on it, and, squeezing himself between the struts, entered a second loft, similar to the first.
At the farther end of this a rough wall of bricks in a timber-frame lowered his hopes; but as he approached it, joy! Low down in the corner where the roof descended, a small door, square, and not more than two feet high, disclosed itself.
The two crept to it on hands and knees and listened.

"It will lead to the leads, I doubt ?" La Tribe whispered.

They dared not raise their voices.
"As well that way as another!" Tignonville answered recklessly.