Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-18
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Outside the camp the two other men-at-arms
were waiting for them, and the four advanced
together. Presently little group of figures doomed
up in the darkness 1t was cloudy night, and a
thin rain was falling which obscured both the
castle and the fort; but had been placed by
Simon in the daytime which assured that they
between the two.
Is blind Andreas there?" asked Simon.
YES kind Sir am here said voice.
This man." said Simon, twas rich and of
good repute; but he beggared by this robber
lord who afterwards put out his eyes, that he has
lived for many years in darkness at the charity of
others
How can he help us in Our enterprise if he be
indeed blind?" asked Nigel.
1t is for that very reason fair lord, that he
be of greater service than any other man." Simon
answered; for it often happens that when a
has lost sense the good God will strengthen those
that remain Hence it is that Andreas has such
that he hear the sap in the trees the cheep
of the mouse in its burrow. He has come to help
to find the tunnel"
And l have found it" said the blind man
proudly. Z" Here l have placed my staff upon the
line of it. Twice as l lay there with my to the
ground have heard footsteps pass beneath me-"
Il trust you make no mistake old man." said
Nigel.
For the blind raised his staff and
smote twice upon the ground once to the right and
to the left The one gave a dull thud, the
other hollow boom.
Can you not hear that" he asked. "Will YOU
ask me now if | make a mistaken"
Indeed, we are much beholden to you'll! cried
Nigel. Let the peasants dig then, and silently
as they may. Do you keep your upon the ground,
Andreas, so that if anyone pass beneath we shall
be warned"
So amid the driving rain the little group toiled
in the darkness The blind man lay silent, fiat upon
his face and twice they heard his warning hiss and
stopped their work, whilst passed beneath.
In an hour they had dug down to stone arch which
clearly the outer side of the tunnel roof Here
was a sad obstacle, for it might take long loosen
d stone and if their work was not done by the
break of day then their enterprise indeed hope
less They loosened the mortar with a dagger,
and at last disodged one small stone which enabled
them to get at the others. Presently a dark hole
bacler than the night around them yawned at their
feet, and their swords could touch bottom to
it. They had opened the tunnel
81 would fain enter it first said Nigel. 81 pray
you to lower me down" They held him to the full
length of their and then letting him drop they
heard him land safely beneath them An instant
later the blind started up with low cry of
alarm
4 hear steps coming" said he They are far off,
but they draw nearer -
Simon thrust his head and neck down the hole
Squire Nigel" he whispered, can you hear mel"
81 can hear you, Simon"
"AndreaS says that some one comes
Then cover over the hole" came the answer.
Quick, L pray you, cover it overl'
A mantle was stretched across it, so that no
glimmer OF light should warn the newcomer. The
fear was that he might have heard the sound of
Nigels descent; but it clear that be had
not done So for Andreas announced that he
still advancing. Presently Nigel could hear the
distant thud of his feet. If he bore lantern
all was lost But CLEAN of light appeared in
the black tunnel, and still the footsteps drew
nearer.
Nigel breathed prayer of thanks to all his
guardian saints as he crouched close to the Shiny