The rope swung like a giant pendulum from side to side. By the luminous heavens he could just see the loop at its end--at least seventy feet from the counterscarp. Seventy feet--or fifty or even twenty-five--for Marishka sure death among the welter of jagged rocks below!
Slowly he rose and faced her. She read the truth in his dejection.
"No, no," he said in sudden horror, "it is not to be thought of. You, at least, are safe."
"Perhaps something may happen. We can at least hide in the wall. They may not find us. Come."
He descended into the hole among the broken masonry and lowered Marishka gently beside him, and there for a moment upon the stairs he held her in his arms while they listened again for noise of pursuit along the dark passage. Silence.
She drew his head down until their lips met.
"Your fate, Hugh--whatever it is--shall be mine."
He smiled in the darkness. A love like this was worth fighting for. "We shall win--somehow," he whispered, "we must!"
Together slowly they retraced their steps to the crypt, where they lighted the candle and listened again, and now, faintly above, they heard the sound of a shot.
"They have not won through yet, Marishka," he said. "My cause is Goritz's now. We must hold the gate."
"I am not afraid," she said. "We can still fight."
He looked at her pale face in admiration, for the fire of resolution glowed in her eyes.
"Yes," he muttered grimly, "we can still fight." And then, "Are there any weapons here?"
"In the armory--come!" And she led the way up the stair. But as they searched the Hall, Ena hobbled down the stone stairway from above, shrieking, and threw herself at their feet. They could not make out what she said, but Renwick rushed to the door and peered out toward the postern. Upon the flagging, a figure lay motionless, and the other man was nowhere to be seen. But worse than that, as though aware of their advantage, in the causeway beyond, several men were advancing, bearing another timber. Renwick's eye appraised the situation hurriedly and he planned quickly, for delay would be fatal. As he reloaded the clip of his automatic he ordered quickly.
"Marishka, I have a plan. There are two joists at the foot of the stair--not very heavy. You and Ena must bring them up here. Then get what loaded weapons you can. Bring them here, too. Lose no time. I will return."