Then all was still.
"Hah!" whispered Sir Edward, "at last.

Keep all lights covered, Rugg, and go and bring up the rest of the men." Dan grunted, and they heard his steps as they stood listening.

Twice over there came the hoarse sound of laughter, but Sir Morton did not return, and Sir Edward in his impatience was about to order a movement forward, now that all his men were at hand, when from out of the black darkness, close by where Mark stood listening with every nerve upon the strain, the lad heard a slight rustling, then a faint panting sound as of hasty breathing, and a low voice whispered: "Is any one there?
Please speak." "Yes, yes," whispered Mark, and he stepped forward quickly with outstretching hands, which came in contact with one as cold as ice.
"Oh!" gasped its owner, as another hand felt for him and clung to him.
"I know your voice, Mark Eden.

I am Minnie Darley: pray, pray come and help my father; he is too weak to come back to you." The voice trailed off into a wail.
"Hush! Don't, pray don't cry," whispered Mark.

"Can you guide us to where your father is ?" "Yes; oh yes." "In the darkness ?" "Yes, I can find my way." "Can you lead us, my child, to where these ruffians are ?" said Sir Edward, who had approached.