"Before we mount," Malcolm said, "let each pick up one of these
blocks of stone which have fallen from the wall. We will wedge
the door from behind, and can then sleep secure against a surprise."
When the door was closed one of the men, who was a musketeer,
struck some sparks from a flint and steel on to a slow match which
he carried in his jerkin, and by its glow they were enabled to look
around them. The stone steps began to ascend close to the door,
and by laying the stones between the bottom step and the door
they wedged the latter firmly in its place. They then ascended the
stairs, and found themselves in a room some ten feet square, in
which hung the bell which had called the village to prayers. It
hung from some beams which were covered with a boarded floor, and
a rough ladder led to a trapdoor, showing that there was another
room above. The floor of the room in which they stood was of stone.
"Now, lads," Malcolm said, "two of you make your way up that ladder
and rip up some of the planks of the flooring. See if there are
any windows or loopholes in the chamber above, and if so stuff your
jerkins into them; we will close up those here. In a few minutes
we will have a roaring fire; but we must beware lest a gleam of
light be visible without, for this belfry can be seen for miles
round.
Some of the boards were soon split up into fragments; but before
the light was applied to them Malcolm carefully examined each window
and loophole to be sure that they were perfectly stopped.
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