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 , Dick , it is I ! '' Dick ran to the door , drew the bolt , and admitted Matcham . He was very pale , and carried a lamp in one hand and a drawn dagger in the other . `` Shut me the door , '' he whispered . `` Swift , Dick ! This house is full of spies ; I hear their feet follow me in the corridors ; I hear them breathe behind the arras . '' `` Well , content you , '' returned Dick , `` it is closed . We are safe for this while , if there be safety anywhere within these walls . But my heart is glad to see you . By the mass , lad , I thought ye were sped ! Where hid ye ? ''
`` It matters not , '' returned XXXXX .
Dick Matcham arras battlements content corner dagger heart passage password