It was large , low , and somewhat dark . The window looked upon the moat , and although it was so high up , it was heavily barred . The bed was luxurious , with one pillow of down and one of lavender , and a red coverlet worked in a pattern of roses . All about the walls were cupboards , locked and padlocked , and concealed from view by hangings of dark-coloured arras . Dick made the round , lifting the arras , sounding the panels , seeking vainly to open the cupboards . He assured himself that the door was strong and the bolt solid ; then he set down his lamp upon a bracket , and once more looked all around . For what reason had he been given this chamber ? It was larger and finer than his own . Could it conceal a snare ? Was there a secret entrance ? Was it , indeed , haunted ? His blood ran a little chilly in his veins . Immediately over him the heavy foot of a sentry trod the leads . Below him , he knew , was the arched roof of the chapel ; and next to the chapel was the hall . Certainly there was a secret passage in the hall ; the eye that had watched him from the arras gave him proof of that . Was it not more than probable that the passage extended to the chapel , and , if so , that it had an opening in his room ? To sleep in such a place , he felt , would be foolhardy . He made his weapons ready , and took his position in a corner of the room behind the door . If ill was intended , he would sell his life dear . The sound of many feet , the challenge , and the password , sounded overhead along the battlements ; the watch was being changed .
And just then there came a scratching at the door of the chamber ; it grew a little louder ; then a whisper : `` Dick , XXXXX , it is I ! ''
Dick arras battlements corner cupboards hangings leads moat password roof