He was the more eager, for there is a fear which transcends the fear of death.
His eyes shone through the mask of dust, the sweat ran down to his chin, his breath came and went noisily.

"Naught matters if we can escape him!" he panted.

And he pushed the door recklessly.

It flew open; the two drew back their faces with a cry of alarm.
They were looking, not into the sunlight, but into a grey dingy garret open to the roof, and occupying the upper part of a gable-end somewhat higher than the wing in which they had been confined.

Filthy truckle- beds and ragged pallets covered the floor, and, eked out by old saddles and threadbare horserugs, marked the sleeping quarters either of the servants or of travellers of the meaner sort.