CHAPTER XX
FRANCIS FINDS A HELPER
“It is the pursuivants,” cried Francis in consternation. “Good mother, hide me, I entreat. They must not know that I am here.”
Then, indeed, was she thankful that she had taken the old woman into her confidence. The beldame arose and with an agility that was surprising in one of her years glided across the room, and opened a small door that was so small, and black, and grimy that it had escaped the girl’s attention.
“Enter,” whispered the woman. “Enter and fear nothing. They shall not know of thy presence.”
Francis passed through the entrance and closed the door after her just as the rapping came again with renewed vigor.
“What, ho inside!” came a voice. “Give entrance, whosoe’er ye be, else it will be made by force.”
“Now who be ye who would seek admittance 214 to the house of a white witch?” asked Dame Margery’s shrill voice.
“Gramercy! we will show who we be,” and there was a sound as of a man pressing against the panels of the door. The dame undid the fastenings and threw open the door. A man who had evidently put his shoulder against it for the purpose of forcing an entrance sprawled his entire length on the floor. With a loud laugh at his discomfiture several other men crowded into the room.