“Jump out,” she cried; “run across, and you can easily scramble upon the roof of yon low outbuilding.  From thence you can creep along into the lane at the back; and, if no one be watching, drop down there and fly for your life.  But if there be a spy set, then climb up by the gutterings upon the roof—­Harry Gay has done it many a time—­and you will find a hundred ways of outwitting them and escaping down some back alley.

“O Tom, make haste!  I hear angry voices in parley with my father.  He will detain them as long as may be.  But be thou gone quickly.  Oh, do not delay!”

“I will not,” answered Tom, with his hands upon the windowsill; “and I thank you from my heart for your goodwill to me this night.  Give me one kiss, sweetheart, and bid me good speed.  Pray Heaven you have a welcome for me when you see me next!”

She kissed him with the tears standing in her eyes.

“I shall always have a welcome for you, Tom,” she answered; “I shall think of you always till I see you again.  But oh, go! go now!  And Heaven prosper and be with you!  Oh, they are coming!  Delay no longer!”

Tom was already outside the window, and now sped forth to do her bidding.  She saw him scramble up the rough wall of the building opposite, and make his rapid way along, as she had said.  She craned out to see what he would do when he reached the corner, and watched as he made a careful survey, and then dropped into the lane at the back.  She listened with all her ears, but there was no sound of pursuit or struggle.

It had been as she hoped.  No one had thought of that possible way of escape.  No doubt the back door of the yard was watched; but she would never have sent him out by that.

Instantly she closed and barred the window, throwing the little key away into the court below.  Then she softly unlocked the door and set it ajar, and began washing her dishes in the dim twilight of the scullery, singing a little song to herself the while.

In the house above there was the sound of tramping feet and loud voices.  She heard her father say quietly: 

“Her Majesty’s warrant must be obeyed.  Seek what you will, and take what you will.  I know nothing of any criminal.  I have none such in hiding here.  I am an honest citizen, and have nothing to fear.  Do your will.  I hinder you not.”

The next minute Cale had come softly into the back kitchen, and was exchanging a silent but meaning glance with his daughter.

He saw in a moment by her face that all was well.  Tom had made good his escape.  The longer the search continued in the upper rooms, so much the longer would the fugitive have to put distance between him and his pursuers.

At last the feet came downstairs, and a lantern was flashed all round the basement rooms.

“Here is a window!” cried one.  “If the bar were down a man could squeeze himself out.  When was this window last opened?”