Nance went to the bed, stripped the sheets off, tied them together, and let the rope out of the window. The lower end dangled itself in the water of the cistern.
"Jerk it to one side——"
She tried several times before Jeremy managed to catch the wet sheet on the end of a stick. He fastened the packet to the dry part of the sheet.
"Right, Nance. Do you think you can manage to get this stuff into the wine—De Rothan's wine?"
"I'll try. Would it kill him?"
"No, there's not enough for that. If we could get him drugged, we could deal with the others. Try the trick to-morrow evening. We shall be on the watch in the wood. If you succeed, signal with your candle."
Nance had pulled up the sheets, and had the packet in her hands.
"Is there no other way, Jeremy?"
"We will try this. Are you afraid?"
"Yes—and no. No—not for Jasper's sake."