Part 17 (1/2)
Presently the steps began again, and then, all of a sudden, a chink of light appeared in the planking of the roo opened, letting in a gush of light They could see the strong hand pushi+ng it up; and dick raised his cross-boaiting for the head to follow
But now there came an interruption Froan to be heard, and first one voice, and then several, crying aloud upon a name This noise had plainly disconcerted the murderer, for the trap-door was silently lowered to its place, and the steps hurriedly returned, passed once more close below the lads, and died away in the distance
Here was a moment's respite dick breathed deep, and then, and not till then, he gave ear to the disturbance which had interrupted the attack, and which was now rather increasing than di, doors were opening and sla, and still the voice of Sir Daniel towered above all this bustle, shouting for ”Joanna”
”Joanna!” repeated dick ”Why, who the murrain should this be? Here is no Joanna, nor ever hath been What meaneth it?”
Matcham was silent He seemed to have drawn further away But only a little faint starlight entered by the , and at the far end of the apartment, where the pair were, the darkness was complete
”Jack,” said dick, ”I wot not where ye were all day Saw ye this Joanna?”
”Nay,” returned Matcham, ”I saw her not”
”Nor heard tell of her?” he pursued
The steps drew nearer Sir Daniel was still roaring the name of Joanna from the courtyard
”Did ye hear of her?” repeated dick
”I heard of her,” said Matcham
”How your voice twitters! What aileth you?” said dick ”'Tis a ood fortune, this Joanna; it will take their minds from us”
”dick,” cried Matcham, ”I am lost; we are both lost Let us flee if there be yet time They will not rest till they have found o forth; when they have found ood dick, letfor the bolt, when dick at last comprehended
”By the mass!” he cried, ”y' are no Jack; y' are Joanna Sedley; y' are the irl paused, and stood silent and motionless dick, too, was silent for a little; then he spoke again
”Joanna,” he said, ”y' 'ave saved my life, and I have saved yours; and we have seen blood flow, and been friends and enemies--ay, and I took ht ye were a boy But now death has me, and my time's out, and before I die I must say this: Y' are the best maid and the bravest under heaven, and, if only I could live, I would marry you blithely; and, live or die, I love you”
She answered nothing
”Coood maid, and say ye love me!”
”Why, dick,” she cried, ”would I be here?”
”Well, see ye here,” continued dick, ”an we but escape whole we'll marry; and an we're to die, we die, and there's an end on't But now that I think, how found ye my chamber?”
”I asked it of Dame Hatch,” she answered