She went to help him, and spoke of wedges and the crowbar. “I can steady the thing while you heave it up, little by little, till the hinge straps are over the bolts.” He gave her a look from his blue eyes. “A man rushes like a bull. While you——” “Ah, as I told you, women are cunning.” Between them they got the gate on its hinges, and though it groaned and moved reluctantly, it was as strong as a man could wish. “No spear truncheon will prise that up in a hurry.” She was flushed and breathing fast, and her quick beauty swept into Martin’s heart like the wind. He stood still, gazing at her, till she looked at him, and then his eyes fell. “See how strong that is,” he said. And his heart would have cried, “Strong as my love.” The main gate of Woodmere was safe now from a surprise, and no enemies could attack the place save by swimming the mere. Martin had made a round of the walls; they stood twelve feet high and were strongly built. The only other openings in them were the gate leading from the kitchen court and the wicket opening on the garden. The garden wicket still hung on its hinges, a stout oak door studded and banded with iron, and easily barred in case of an attack. The kitchen gateway they had decided to wall up, and Martin set to work upon the wall, using the big stones that had fallen from the battlements of the hall. They were so heavy that they wedged and weighted each other in place, and stood as solidly as though they had been laid by a mason. Martin had nearly closed the gap when Mellis called him. “The sun is near the hills. You have done enough.” In spite of his youth and his strength Martin Valliant was very weary. He looked at the wall that he had built, and saw that it was strong enough to stand against a surprise. Her voice came nearer. “Are you ever hungry?” He went whither her voice lured him. She had made a table in the garden out of some stones and pieces of wood, set flowers on it, and laid supper thereon. Her dark eyes seemed to him to be deep with a new mystery. They broke bread together and drank their wine, and the meal had the flavor of a sacrament. “There is yet work to be done,” she had said to him, “before the daylight goes. And I shall show you a thing, Martin Valliant, that shall pledge me your honor.” When they had ended the meal she rose and looked at him with great steadfastness. “Martin Valliant, is your heart still set on this life of the sword? Tell me the truth, and keep nothing hidden. God knows that a man must make his choice.” His eyes met hers without flinching. “I have chosen,” he said; “there shall be no turning back.” She went toward the tower, beckoning him to follow. “I have not been idle, and here is my secret.”