"What in Heaven's name is this?" he whispered.
"Hush! 'tis but phosphorus. But 'twill serve."
"Away! they will surprise thee."
In fact uneasy mutterings were heard below, and at last a deep voice said, "What makes him so long? is the drôle rifling them?"
It was their comrade they suspected then, not the enemy. Soon a step came softly but rapidly up the stairs: the door was gently tried.
When this resisted, which was clearly not expected, the sham post was very cautiously moved, and an eye no doubt peeped through the aperture: for there was a howl of dismay, and the man was heard to stumble back and burst into the kitchen, where a babel of voices rose directly on his return.
Gerard ran to the dead thief and began to work on him again.
"Back, madman!" whispered Denys.
"Nay, nay. I know these ignorant brutes. They will not venture here awhile. I can make him ten times more fearful."
"At least close that opening! Let them not see you at your devilish work."