“Who else,” answered Halberd. “Sire, I have been expecting this kindness these three hours.”
“You may expect to be hanged, in the morning, if you do not shut your mouth and come with me instantly,” said Rust.
“I was dreaming of my wedding with a fair princess,” said Pike. “These are no days of chivalry, when a man will leave so sweet a damsel in so vile a place.”
“What have you done with your swords and side arms?” the Sachem demanded, in a whisper. “Did they take them from you?”
“They did. Else we had slain the whole score of rascals that took us,” said Halberd.
“Make haste, then, till we arm anew,” instructed the rover.
He locked the door behind them and led the way to the armory at once. They had gone half the distance to the place when there came a clanking of opening doors, a rattle of scabbards, a rumble of muffled voices and the tramp of many feet, around in the angle of the corridor, leading to the outside world.
“Quick! Quick!” commanded Adam, and darting forward, lame foot and all, to the armory-door, he opened it, thrust in the beef-eaters, with a word of admonition to beware of making a noise, and closed the barrier, only as Randolph and six of his creatures came tiptoeing down the passage and stopped fairly opposite where Adam was standing.
The rover reached out in the dark of the room they were in, as he braced silently against the door, and felt his hand come in contact with a sword, which he had noted when first he peered into the room. He could hear the men outside, whispering.
Weaver was with them, pale and frightened at what he knew these midnight visitors contemplated doing. He dared not make the slightest protest; his master stood before him.