"They have got in," said Juliana. "Mrs. Wyndham has unfastened the door. She will give them plenty of ale."
For a few minutes all remained quiet, and Charles ventured out of his hiding-place.
"I don't think they will disturb me," he said.
Just at the moment, however, Joan Halsenoth cautiously entered the room.
"Mr. Meldrum and his companions are coming up-stairs presently," she said. "They have poked their noses into every hole and corner below, and mean to search every room in the house. So you must prepare for them."
And she disappeared.
Charles again retreated to his hiding-place, but paused before closing the door.
"Can you not give me a signal," he said, "in case it should be necessary for me to descend the secret staircase?"
"I can tap against the panel," she rejoined. "But you had better remove the plank at once."