“They should all be out of the way pretty soon,” Desmond whispered. “Then we can make a move. We must get to water somehow, or——” He broke off, listening. “Lie still!” he added quickly. “Some one is coming up for straw.”
“How do you know?”
“’Tis a young lady, and she volunteering to see to bedding for the pigs!” Desmond answered.
The ladder creaked, and, peering out, they saw a shock yellow head rise into the trap-door. The girl who came up was about twenty—stoutly built, with a broad, good-humoured face. She wore rough clothes, and but for her two thick plaits of yellow hair, might easily have passed for a man.
The heavy steps came slowly across the floor, while the men lay trying to breath so softly that no unusual movement should stir the loose pea-straw. Then, to their amazement, she spoke.
“Where are you?” she said in English.
Astonishment as well as fear held them silent. She waited a moment, and spoke again.
“I saw you come in. You need not be afraid.”
Still they made no sign. She gave a short laugh.
“Well, if you will not answer, I must at least get my straw for my pigs.”