“ Simon! Simon!” cried Nigel loudly.
The mantle was moved from the hole.
“ Have you a cord? Or your belts linked together may serve.”
One of the peasants had a rope, and Nigel soon felt it dangling against his hand. He listened and there was no sound in the passage. For an instant he released his captive's throat. A torrent of prayers and entreaties came forth. The man was shaking like a leaf in the wind. Nigel pressed the point of his dagger against his face and dared him to open his lips. Then he slipped the rope beneath his arms and tied it.
“ Pull him up!” he whispered, and for an instant the gray glimmer above him was obscured.
“ We have him, fair sir,” said Simon.
“ Then drop me the rope and hold it fast.”
A moment later Nigel stood among the group of men who had gat
