“Don’t talk now. Rouse them at once. You must escape.”
“Escape? Where?”
“I have provided the refuge for you. Horses are waiting in front of the Hall. Now, let’s try and get them out at once.”
“In front of the Hall?” said Scarlett, whose weakness seemed to be chased away by his old friend’s words.
“Yes.”
“Fred, we can get down from the oak chamber into the ruins. A piece of the wall has fallen. Will not that be a better way?”
“Of course,” cried Fred. “Then wake them at once.”
This was done, and the news of the coming of help conveyed to Sir Godfrey and his man, who rose with pain to their feet; but it soon became evident that the former could not stir a step, though Nat declared he could walk anywhere, and nearly fell on trying to cross the vault.
“It is of no use,” said Scarlett; “but I thank you, Fred Forrester, and I can never call you enemy again.”
“No,” said Sir Godfrey, piteously. “I am too weak to stir; but God bless you, my brave, true boy—never our enemy again.”