In an hour they had dug down to a stone arch
which was clearly the outer side of the tunnel roof. Here was a
sad obstacle, for it might take long to loosen a stone, and if
their work was not done by the break of day then their enterprise
was indeed hopeless. They loosened the mortar with a dagger, and
at last dislodged one small stone which enabled them to get at the
others. Presently a dark hole blacker than the night around them
yawned at their feet, and their swords could touch no bottom to
it. They had opened the tunnel.
"I would fain enter it first," said Nigel. "I pray you to lower
me down." They held him to the full length of their arms and then
letting him drop they heard him land safely beneath them. An
instant later the blind man started up with a low cry of alarm.
"I hear steps coming," said he. "They are far off, but they draw
nearer."
Simon thrust his head and neck down the hole. "Squire Nigel," he
whispered, "can you hear me?"
"I can hear you, Simon."
"Andreas says that some one comes."
"Then cover over the hole," came the answer. "Quick, I pray you,
cover it over!"
A mantle was stretched across it, so that no glimmer of light
should warn the new-comer. The fear was that he might have heard,
the sound of Nigel's descent. But soon it was clear that he had
not done so, for Andreas announced that he was still advancing.
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