Sometimes he paused and listened attentively. The sounds in the town
gradually died away and all became still, save that he could hear the
calls of the warder on the battlement above him. The night was a very
dark one, and he could scarcely make out the gleam of water in the moat
below.
Suddenly something struck him a sharp blow on the face and fell at his
feet. He stooped and picked it up; it was an arrow with a wad of wool
fastened round its point to prevent it from making a noise should it
strike the wall or cage; to the other end was attached a piece of
string. Archie drew it in until he felt that it was held firmly, then
after a moment the hold relaxed somewhat, and the string again yielded
as he drew it in.
Presently a stout rope, strong enough to bear his weight, came into his
hands. At the point of junction was attached some object done up in
flannel. This he opened, and found that it was a fine saw and a small
bottle containing oil. He fastened the rope securely to one of the bars
and at once commenced to saw asunder one of the others.
In five minutes two cuts had been noiselessly made, and a portion of the
bar five feet long came away. He now tried the rope and found that it
was tightly stretched, and evidently fixed to some object on the other
side of the moat. He grasped it firmly with his arms and legs and slid
rapidly down it.
In another minute he was grasped by some strong arms, which checked his
rapid progress and enabled him to gain his feet without the slightest
noise. As he did so a woman threw her arms round him, and he exchanged
a passionate but silent embrace with Marjory.
Then she took his hand and with noiseless steps they proceeded down the
road. He had, before starting, removed his shoes and put them in his
pockets. Marjory and her companion had also removed their shoes; and
even the keenest ears upon the battlements would have heard no sound as
they proceeded along the road.
Fifty yards farther and they were among the houses. Here they stopped a
minute and put on their shoes, and then continued their way. Not a word
was spoken until they had traversed several streets and stopped at the
door of a house in a quiet lane; it yielded to Marjory's touch, she and
Archie entered, and their follower closed and fastened it after them.