What could it be?
As he sat and wondered, the pike which had been resting carelessly across his knee slipped and fell on to the stone pavement with a sudden clank, which was instantly repeated overhead, just as the laugh and the footsteps had been.
Of course it flashed upon Singleton then--an echo! nothing but a simple echo among the nooks and crannies of the castle; and at a simple echo his cheek had turned pale and his heart had stood still, and his hands had actually trembled! He scorned himself bitterly for his cowardice; and once more, relieved in mind and humbled in spirit, set out on his night watch, determined this time that nothing, not even a score of ghosts, should terrify him.
And now the night began to wear on.

By this time the men must be very near their rendezvous, for it was an hour past midnight, and the moon was getting down towards the west.

He wondered what other clans would muster round the royal standard, and how soon the king's forces would be likely to meet the enemy.

This time to-morrow he would be with his men; that is, provided the general permitted ten of them to return and relieve guard here.

Supposing no one came! At that moment Jupiter gave a very low growl, which made his master stop short in his march and listen with all his ears.