There was silence.
"I have sounded that side," said the first voice sharply.
"Well, but—"
"I tell you I have sounded it. There is no time to be lost. My lord—"
"Hark!" said the second voice. "There is my lord's man—"
There followed a movement of feet towards the door, as it seemed to the priest.
He could hear the first man grumbling to himself, and beating listlessly on the walls somewhere. Then a voice called something unintelligible from the direction of the stairs; the beating ceased, and footsteps went across the floor again into silence.
VI
He was dazed and blinded by the light when, after infinite hours, he drew the bolts and slid the panel open.
* * * * *