^ It must be. How else can I explain your having got the
key ? I made them give me the key on the pretence that with
one who had most cause to hate you, it would be safe ; and
when they come and find us in the morning I shall tell them
how I came here to stab you with my own hands, — you must
lay the dagger by me, — and how you and your man fell upon
us and bound us, and you escaped. Ah ! Mary Mother," con-
tinued the maiden with a sigh, ^ when shall we poor weak wo-
men have no more need of lying ? "

She lay down, and Hereward, in spite of himself, gently bound
her hancb and feet, kissing them as he bound them.
" I shall do well here upon the altar steps," said she. " How
can I spend my time better till the morning light than to lie here
and pray ? "

The old priest, who was plainly in the plot, submitted meekly
to the same fate ; and Hereward and Martin Lightfoot stole out^
locking the door, but leaving the key in it outside. To scramble
over the old earthwork was an easy matter ; and in a few min-
utes they were hurrying down the valley to the sea, with a fresh
breeze blowing behind them from the north.
^Did I not tell you, my lord," said Martin Lightfoot, ^^to
keep your curses till you had seen the end of this adventure ? "

Hereward was silent. His brain was still whirling from the
adventures of the day, and his heart was very deeply touched.
