"I am not sure that I can find the plank," he rejoined.
"I will show you where it is," she cried, flying towards him. But she stopped on hearing footsteps on the staircase.
"They are coming!" she exclaimed.
The secret door was instantly shut.
Next moment, the room door was thrown open, and Mrs. Wyndham entered, accompanied by the Independent minister, and followed by the two troopers.
"When I tell you that this is Mistress Juliana Coningsby's room, perhaps a very slight inspection of it will satisfy you," said Mrs. Wyndham to the minister.
"I am not so sure of that," he replied. "'Tis likely enough that the malignant whom we seek may be concealed here."
"You have just been told that it is my room," cried Juliana, suddenly turning round and facing him.
"That does not make it more unlikely," observed one of the troopers. "Fair damsels have concealed their lovers before now."
"Hold thy peace, Hilkiah," said the minister, gravely. "Thou art come hither to search for a malignant, and not to jest. Do thine office."