The chamber would be large
enough, he thought, for at least two men. He explained, too, his method
of deadening the hollowness of the sound if the panel were knocked upon,
by placing pads of felt on struts of wood that would be set against the
panel-door.
"Why, that is very shrewd!" cried Mr. John. He looked round the faces
for approval.
For an hour or so, the party sat and watched him at his work; and
Marjorie listened to their talk. It was of that which filled the hearts
of all Catholics at this time; of the gathering storm in England, of the
priests that had been executed this very year--Mr. Paine at Chelmsford,
in March; Mr. Forde, Mr. Shert and Mr. Johnson, at Tyburn in May, the
first of the three having been taken with Father Campion at
Lyford--deaths that were followed two days later by the execution of
four more--one of whom, Mr. Filbie, had also been arrested at Lyford.
And there were besides a great number more in prison--Mr. Cottam, it was
known, had been taken at York, scarcely a week ago, and, it was said,
would certainly suffer before long.
They talked in low voices; for the shadow was on all their hearts. It
had been possible almost to this very year to hope that the misery would
be a passing one; but the time for hope was gone. It remained only to
bear what came, to multiply priests, and, if necessary, martyrs, and
meantime to take such pains for protection as they could.
"He will be a clever pursuivant who finds this one out," said Mr.
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