"Come, gentlemen," said a sharp voice at the door, "there is no time to
lose."
He went out with the two others behind, and followed Mr. John
downstairs. Already the party of servants was dispersed to their
stations; two or three to keep the doors, no doubt, and the rest back to
kitchen work and the like, to give the impression that all was as usual.
The four went straight down into the hall, to find it empty, except for
one man who stood by the fire-place. But a surprising change had taken
place here. Instead of the solemn panelling, with the carved shield that
covered the wall over the hearth, there was a great doorway opened,
through which showed, not the bricks of the chimney-breast, but a black
space large enough to admit a man.
"See here," said Mr. John, "there is room for two here, but no more.
There is room for a third in another little chamber upstairs that is
nearly joined on to this: but it is not so good. Now, gentlemen--"
"This is the safer of the two?" asked Robin abruptly.
"I think it to be so. Make haste, gentlemen."
Robin wheeled on the others. He said that there was no time to argue in.
"See!" he said. "I have not yet been taken at all. Mr. Garlick hath
been taken; and Mr. Ludlam hath had a warning. There is no question that
you must be here."
"I utterly refuse--" began Garlick.
Robin went to the door in three strides; and was out of it. He closed
the door behind him and ran upstairs.
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