Into the open room below he heard several men enter, and their conversation reached him in his hiding-place. There was little comfort in what they said. As far as he could judge the officer in charge was questioning the soldier who had fallen asleep under the chimney.
"Seen no one I suppose?" He spoke with a Highland accent.
"No, sir, and I've searched the place high and low."
"Been up the chimney?"
"Yes, sir."
"Looked under that gravestone there?"
"No, sir, it's not possible to move that."
"Call two of the men, we'll soon see to that."
There was a moment's silence and then a sound of heaving.
"Can't budge it, sir."