"
She gave me the weapon, though not, as I made sure, in any consenting to
my proposal. I could have cried out in sheer joy when I found the sword
to be my own good blade of proof--the ancient Ferara willed me by my
father.
Sharp as the crisis was, I make no doubt I should have asked her then
and there how she came by the blade I had last seen when my Lord
Cornwallis tried to break it over his knee; but the march of events
suddenly became too swift for me. There was a sound of cautious
footsteps in the inclined passage leading from the butler's pantry
above, and our chance for escape that way was gone.
"Too late!" said Dick; and with an arm about Margery he whipped behind
the great oaken door opened back against the cellar wall, whispering me
to follow.
We were scarce in hiding, with the door well drawn back to screen us,
when the cautious footsteps came slowly into the out-cellar. Peeping
through the crack behind the door we saw Pengarvin--alone.
What brought him there without his tale of armed men at his back no man
will ever know; but since his ways were always crooked and devious, I
guessed he would not wish to appear in the matter in his own proper
person, and yet could not deny himself a 'forehand peep to see if the
trap were still safe shut and secure.
'Twas evident he was much disconcerted at finding the door open and the
wine vault apparently empty. At first he would start and dodge as if to
run away; then his rage got the better of his caution and he had one of
those senseless cursing fits I have before told you of, raving and
swearing and promising all manner of fiendish recompense to Mistress
Margery when he should have her in his power.
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