For at that moment the tramp of many feet was heard without, followed by a violent knocking at the door, which the priest fortunately had barred when he entered.
“Hide him,” said the good man; “I will keep them at bay for a few minutes.”
And the old people hurried Cuthbert out of the room.
“The back door,” said the boy.
“Nay, that is watched too; I hear them whispering without.”
“Then I am lost.”
“No! no! my boy,” said the old woman, “come up stairs, and get into the loft.”
They went hastily up the stairs, into the old people’s bedroom.
There was no ceiling, but that which plain boards overhead, separating them from the attic beneath the roof, afforded; knocking one of these aside with his staff, the old man bade Cuthbert mount on his shoulders, and get into the loft. The lad did so easily, for the roof of the room was low, and then replaced the boards, so that no one could see that there had been any disturbance thereof.