This being arranged, Vincent passed a note next day to Dan, telling him to have three disguises in readiness, and to be at the foot of the western wall, halfway along, at twelve o'clock on the first wet night.

A string would be thrown over, with a knife fastened to it.

He was to pull on the string till the rope came into his hand, and to hold that tight until they were over.

Vincent chose this spot because it was equally removed from the sentry-boxes at the corners of the yard, and because there was a stone seat in the yard to which one end of the rope could be attached.
That night was fine, but the next was thick and misty.

At nine o'clock all were in bed, and he lay listening to the clocks in the distance.