"I hope not, sir; that would be making too hard a job of it." "Stop a moment," cried Roy, brightening up; "I have it." "You know where it is, sir?" cried Ben, eagerly. "Not this end," said Roy, laughing, "but the other." "What, in the old ruins? Of course." "Well, why not go and find that, and then trace it down to here. It would be the easiest way." "There is something in that, sir, certainly," said the old soldier, thoughtfully; "ever been there, sir?" "Once, blackberrying; but of course I never saw anything; only a rabbit or two." "Then if we can't find it here after a good try or two, sir, we'll have a walk over there some evening, though I don't feel to like the idea of leaving the place, specially as all the gentry seem so unfriendly. Not a soul, you see, has been to see her ladyship. Looks bad, Master Roy, and as if there was more going on than we know of round about us." "Ah, well, never mind that," said Roy; "let's get back out of this chilly, echoing place. I'm fagged." "We'll go back this way, sir," said Ben; and he went on first with the lantern, till he came to one of the flights of stone steps leading up to the ground level. "Let's go on here, Ben," said Roy; and, upon their reaching the corridor above, the boy looked back along it towards where the stairs went up into the corner tower, beneath which they had been so busy. "Wonder whether Master Pawson heard us, Ben." "Can't say, sir. I should fancy not, or he'd have been on the stir to know what was the matter." "Mightn't have cared to stir in the dark, Ben. I say, I should like to know. Look here, he went off early to bed, because he said he was unwell. I'll go and ask how he is. That's a good excuse for seeing." "Well, so it is, sir," said Ben, rubbing his ear; "and if he did hear anything, he'd be pretty sure to speak." "Of course. Then I will go. Come and light me." Roy hurried along back with Ben following and casting the boy's shadow before him, till they reached the arched door-way, where they went up the few stone steps in the spiral staircase, reached the oaken door leading into the apartments, felt for the latch, raised it, and gave it a loud click; but the door did not yield to the boy's pressure, and he tried it again, and then gave it a shake. "Why, he has locked himself in, Ben!" "Has he, sir? Didn't want to be 'sturbed, maybe." "Perhaps he was frightened by the noise we made, and then fastened himself in," said Roy, with a laugh. Ben chuckled at the idea. "Well, sir, not the first time we've frightened him, eh?" "Hush! I want to let him know who it is now knocking," said Roy; "it is startling to be woke up in the middle of the night. Master Pawson-- Master Pawson!" he said, gently; and he tapped lightly with his fingers. But there was no reply, and Roy tapped and called again, but still without result. "He's too fast asleep to hear you, sir."