When they came down to the courtyard he had drawn water for his horse from the well, and wass giving him to drink, thinking more of the beast that had borne him than of his own need, as became a man of birth.
"At the sight of the lady he took off his bonnet and bowed low, and asked if he might hef a private audience, to which Mistress Carnegie replied, 'We are private here,' and asked, 'Have you been with my son ?' "'We fought together for the Prince three days since--my name is Perth.
I am escaping for my life, and desire a brief rest, if it please you, and bring no danger to your house.' "'Ye had been welcome, my Lord Duke,' and Mary used to show how her mistress straightened herself, though you were the poorest soldier that had drawn his sword for the good cause, and ye will stay here till it be safe for you to escape to France.' "He wass four weeks hidden in the room, and although the soldiers searched all the house, they could never find the place, and Mrs.
Carnegie put scorn upon them, asking why they did her so much honour and whom they sought.

Oh yes, it wass a cunning place for the bad times, and you will be pleased to see it." "And the secret, Janet," cried Kate, her hand upon the door; "you know it quite well." "So does the General, Catherine of my heart," said Janet, "and he will be liking to show it himself." So Kate departed in a rage, and gave orders that there be no more delay, for she would not spend an afternoon seeking for rat-holes.
"No rat-hole, Kit, but a very fair chamber for a hunted man; it is twenty years and more since this door opened last, for none knows the trick of it save Janet and myself.

There it goes." A panel in the back of the cabinet slid aside behind its neighbour and left a passage through which one could squeeze himself with an effort.
"We go up a stair now, and must have light; a candle will do; the air is perfectly pure, for there 's plenty of ventilation;" and then they crept up by steps in the thickness of the walls, till they stood in a chamber under six feet high, but otherwise as large as the bedroom below.

The walls were lined with wood, and there were two tiny slits that gave air, but hardly any light.

The only furniture in the room was an oaken chest, clasped with iron and curiously locked.
"Our plate chest, Kit; but there 'a not much silver and gold in it, worse luck for you, lassie; in fact, we're a pack of fools to set store by it.