“Well, sir, not the first time we’ve frightened him, eh?”
“Hush! I want to let him know who it is now knocking,” said Roy; “it is startling to be woke up in the middle of the night. Master Pawson—Master Pawson!” he said, gently; and he tapped lightly with his fingers.
But there was no reply, and Roy tapped and called again, but still without result.
“He’s too fast asleep to hear you, sir.”
“Well, he ought to bear that,” said Roy, giving the door a good rattle, and then tapping loudly.
“One would think so, sir; but he don’t seem to have his ears very wide open, or else he’s too much scared to stir.”
“Master Pawson! Master Pawson!” cried Roy, loudly now; and he once more rattled the door. “How are you?”
“Fast as a church, sir,” said Ben; “and I wouldn’t rattle no more, because you’ll be having the sentry up atop after us. Better go and speak to him, or he’ll be raising the guard.”
Ben went up on the winding stair, and spoke to the sentry, who challenged him as he reached the top, and was much relieved on hearing his sergeant’s voice.
“Didn’t know what to make of it,” he said; “and I should have fired, only my piece wouldn’t go off.”