"In with thee."
Geoffrey could not but obey. Indeed, he was only too thankful to have escaped the terrors of the oubliette. But as he stepped across the low threshold he gave a cry of surprise, for the glare of the torches showed him that the prison-chamber was already occupied—and by none other than Oswald Steyning!
The ponderous door was closed and locked, but Geoffrey heeded it not. He had almost forgotten his gloomy surroundings in the joy of greeting his friend. For some considerable time both lads were too full of excitement to do more than wring one another's hands, but by degrees they calmed down, and for the next two or three hours they exchanged stories of the events that led up to their presence in the Castle of Malevereux.
Thus began the first of many long days of joint captivity. The room in which the lads were held prisoners was gloomy enough, though it lacked the grim terrors of the pit. It was barely ten feet in length and six in breadth, while from floor to ceiling the height varied from nine to five feet.
At the highest end, which was farthermost from the door, was a square aperture communicating with the open air, but owing to the thickness of the walls and a sharp curve in the opening it was impossible to see the broad daylight. Consequently, though there was a tolerable supply of fresh air, only a dim subdued light filtered in through the grated aperture, barely sufficient to penetrate the gloom of the prison.
Beyond the daily visits of the gaoler who brought their food and water, the lads saw no one. Time hung heavily on their hands, though in addition to being able to engage in conversation, they took as much exercise as the confined limits of the cell would permit, in order to preserve, as far as possible, the suppleness of their limbs and the strength of their muscles.
Notwithstanding the threat of the oubliette that hung over their heads like the sword of Damocles—for Oswald, too, had made acquaintance with the loathsome dungeon—the lads were ever on the alert to take advantage of an opportunity to effect their escape.
So far their vigilance was ill-rewarded, for, being without weapons or tools, they were unable to remove the iron bars forming the grating of the air-shaft, while tunnelling through the walls or under the floor was equally impossible. Nor did the gaoler take any undue risks; for, although he entered the cell alone, three or four armed men were always within easy call, ready to rush to his aid at the first summons.
One day the lads were aroused by an unwonted stir without the castle walls. Borne faintly to their ears came the sounds of strife, men shouting and shrieking, weapons clashing, and the sharp hiss of bolts and arrows.
"The castle is attacked," exclaimed Oswald. "They are storming the battlements."