"Stop talking, Martin, and let us get to work," came the answer from below.
"I wonder whether Mistress Barbara will make a promise?" And Martin cut and wrenched at the creepers where they clung to the stone floor and fallen masonry at the top.
"What are you doing?" said Sir John.
"Freeing myself from the creepers. That's done. I'll hasten, Sir John, never fear."
Something moved in the dark, sunken room, scraping and sliding.
"Martin!"
Sir John could hear the sound of his footsteps quickly lessening in the distance, but there was no answer to his call.
"Martin!"
Still no answer, and the sound of the footsteps had gone. Sir John, with his hands stretched out before him, crossed to the corner where he had come down. His hands came in contact with a tangle of creepers, hanging loose, from the wall. The ladder was broken!
Martin Fairley went swiftly to the terrace and on to one of the stone bridges over the stream. Then he paused and listened.