The first obstacle the expedition encountered was the impossibility of Maurice's getting through to the stairway with his crutch. It was plain that it was out of the question, yet it was terribly hard to give up. There was a spice of daring in the adventure that appealed to him. For a moment he had a most uncomfortable sensation in his throat; and the old pettishness returned as he thundered at Katherine, in response to her reiterated, "You mustn't do it, Maurice," "I wish you'd hush. I know what I can do!"
"We are dreadfully sorry, Maurice, but you can keep watch and give the alarm if any one comes," said Belle.
Rosalind's oak leaf, as she stood before him, recalled him, and suggested that here was a hard thing to be bravely borne.
"Go on," he said; "I'll wait for you here. I don't mind." His tone was almost cheerful. His ill temper came near getting the better of him however, when Katherine insisted upon staying too. Katherine couldn't understand that people sometimes did not want to be pitied; and she was not very anxious, if the truth were known, to join the exploring party.
There was no way of escape for her. The others were too urgent, and Maurice did not want her.
"There is an imprisoned maiden in the tower, and we are going to rescue her." As she spoke Rosalind pointed to the garret window.
"What fun! Come on," cried Belle.
Jack had already wriggled in.
"It is rather dusty, isn't it?" Rosalind peeped in at the cobwebs doubtfully, but the thought of the imprisoned maiden overcame her dislike to dust. "Her name is Patricia," she paused on the sill to say.
"And we are going to release her and restore her ring, which a wicked magician has turned into lead," added Belle, with sudden inspiration.