From one of the capacious pockets of his full hose, Gerald now produced a book--it was the Bible; for it was the fashion of the times among the Puritanical party to carry the holy book about the person. With a short humble prayer that he might not be thought to desecrate the sacred volume by applying it to a purpose of concealment for his father's sake, he placed upon its open pages the letter, which formed the only contents of the packet, after having first torn away and concealed, unobserved, the envelope, and then resumed his monotonous pacing up and down the court. Gideon observed his comrade's seeming devotion, and appearing determined to outrival him in excess of zeal, applied himself more sedulously than ever to his book. "Your friends are on the alert--a lugger lies off the coast ready for your escape," said Gerald in a low tone to the old cavalier, as he passed as near to him in his walk as discretion would permit. Such was the sense of the commencement of the communication. The old man made a gentle inclination of his head, to show that he understood him, without raising it from between his hands. The young soldier looked at Gideon; Gideon had shifted his legs, and perched himself in an attitude bearing a more direct resemblance to that of a reposing crane than ever. Gerald again cast his eyes upon his open book-- "All is prepared for to-night," he continued to mutter, as he again slowly passed the seat of the prisoner. "Have the bars of your window been cut by the file already conveyed to you?" The old man again bowed his head with an affirmative movement. As Gerald turned once more, Go-to-bed Godlamb was nodding his head over his book, as if in very enthusiastic approval of its contents, but unfortunately with so much energy--that he jerked it up again into an upright posture--and immediately began staring straight before him with great vehemence. Gerald bit his lips with vexation, and continued his walk. His eyes were seemingly employed upon the page before him-- "A boat will be brought without noise under the walls at twelve this night," continued the anxious son, repassing his father, where he sat. "You must descend from your window by your bed-clothes." Gerald resumed his walk. Gideon was winking and blinking with much energy-- "The only difficulty is to elude the vigilance of the sentinel who shall have the _midnight watch_"--muttered Gerald, as he again came back past the prisoner. The old man raised his head, and looked at him anxiously. Gideon was again nodding, but with a lesser degree of enthusiasm, as Gerald turned himself that way. The young man quickened his step, and was soon once more by his father's side-- "Every means that lie in _my_ power shall be employed to favour your escape," whispered Gerald, with much emotion.