The answer was on my lip when there came a sound that made us both start.

’Twas the dull echo of a gun firing, up at the Castle.

“Delia, what lies at the back here?”

“A garden and a garden door: after these a lane leading to Redcliff Street.”

“I must go, this moment.”

“And I?”

She did not wait my answer, but running out into the passage, she came swiftly back with a heavy key. I open’d the window.

“Delia! De-lia!” ’Twas a woman’s voice calling her, at the head of the stairs.

“Aye, Mistress Finch.”

“Who was that at the door?”