“Well! Hey! Where’s your scepticism now?” said he.
“My friend—my good friend,” replied the parson, “don’t be alarmed. Where’s your faith?”
“Was there a noise?” whispered the doctor; and they both listened.
“No,” said the parson. “Pray shut the door. We must not be so—so unmanned, and we’ll light the candle, if you can find it.”
“Come along then,” said the physician, who preferred the cleric’s company just then.
“To the door,” said the clergyman, gently pushing him before him.
When the candle was found and relighted, the gentlemen were much more cheerful. They looked about them. They stole into the hall and listened. They looked like Christian and Hopeful making their escape from Doubting Castle.
They hastened toward the back stair and the kitchen, and were satisfied without exploring. Then side by side they mounted the great stair, and reached William’s door. They had to knock loudly before he awaked.
“Hollo!—I say!” shouted William from his bed.
“Let us in; Doctor Drake and I; we’ve a word to say,” said the clergyman mildly.