The Secret Chamber at Chad | Page 6

know not whether he is living yet. But as he is not only a
great favourite with the Lord of Mortimer, but a distant kinsman to
boot, no sooner was the deed done than all in the hall called to me to
save myself by flight, for that the master would revenge such a death
upon the perpetrator of it without mercy, and that if I wished to spare
my neck I must fly without an instant's delay.
"I knew this but too well myself. The baron was a fearful man to meet
in his rage. Where to fly I knew not, but stay I could not. I had bare
time to rush to my room, don a dress that would not excite inquiry if I
had to lie hid in the forest a few days. I did not think flight would be so
difficult a matter, but I knew that every moment spent in Mortimer's
Keep was at peril of my life; and I had but just made my escape

through a small postern door before I heard the alarm bell ring, the
drawbridge go up, and knew that the edict had gone forth for my instant
apprehension."
He paused with a slight shudder, and seemed to be listening intently.
"There is naught to fear here," said Bertram. "Tell me more of thy
flight."
"It was terrible," answered the man. "I had not looked to be hunted like
the wild beasts of the forest; and yet an hour had not gone by before I
heard, by the baying of the fierce hounds that are kept at Mortimer, that
a hunting party had sallied forth; and I knew that I was the quarry. I
doubled and ran like any hare. I knew the tricks of the wild things that
have skill in baffling the dogs, and at last I reached the shelter of these
walls, and ran there for protection. I had thrown off the dogs at the last
piece of water; and in the marshy ground the scent did not lie, and
could not be picked up. For a brief moment I was safe; but I was
exhausted almost to death. I could go no further. I lay down beneath the
shadow of some arbour within the sheltering precincts of Chad, and
wondered what would become of me."
"Yes, yes! and then--?"
"Then I remembered a story told me by my grandsire, years and years
gone by, of a secret chamber at Chad, which had sheltered many a
fugitive in the hour of peril. Lying out in the soft night air, I recalled bit
by bit all that I had been told--the very drawings the old man had made
to amuse me in a childish sickness, how the door opened, and how
access was had to the chamber. I knew that the country round would be
hunted for days, and that I could never escape the malice of the Lord of
Mortimer if I pursued my way to the sea. He would overtake and kill
me before I could make shift to gain that place of refuge. But I
bethought me of the secret chamber and its story, and methought I
might slip in unseen did I but watch my opportunity, find my way up
the winding stair to this room, and so to the secret chamber beyond."
"And thou didst?"
"Ay, I did, the very next morning. I saw thee and thy brothers sally
forth a-hunting. I saw the men follow in thy train. I had heard that the
knight and his lady with their retinue were absent at Windsor. It needed
no great skill to slip in unseen and gain the longed-for hiding place. I
had some food in my wallet. I fondly hoped it would prove enough; but

the sounds of hunting day by day all around have told me too well that
I must not venture forth; and as this room was slept in by night, I feared
to sally forth after food, lest I should be found and betrayed. I had
heard of the merciful nature of the master of Chad; but in his absence I
knew not what his servants might say or do. Doubtless there is a reward
offered for my apprehension; and if that be so, how could I help fearing
that any hired servant would betray me to my lord?"
"And thou thoughtest that servants slept in this room, and dared not
show thyself either by day or night for fear thou mightest be betrayed!
And only hunger and thirst drove thee forth at length?"
"Ay. And from my heart do I thank thee for thy kindness, young sir;
and gladly will I show thee in return the trick of yon chamber. If thou
canst kindle a torch it will light us